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Is it necessary to purify the plating solution for a small scale nickel electrodeposition process?

2007

We are trying to develop a small scale nickel electrodeposition process (Diameter of the substrate=2cm, Volume of the cell=300ml). Our objective is to deposit high purity nickel nanocrystalline coatings by pulse electrodeposition (by using a Watts bath or a sulfamate bath). So we use a high purity nickel anode (>99,99 %) , pure metallic salts (>99,9%) and ultrapure water. After using, the plating solution is stored in closed bottles. Is it mandatory to purify the plating solution as the bath will be used only to deposit 3 or 4 coatings? Are the anode bags also mandatory and where can I find small size anode bags?
Thanks in advance.

Catherine Savall
Université de La Rochelle - La Rochelle, FRANCE

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2007

Catherine
For such a small scale process, I would use analytical grade chemicals to avoid the need for purification.
For anode bags, I would offer two options,
1/ wrap the anode in filter papers.
2/ visit your medical department and ask if they use tubular finger bandages. Soak them well in demineralised water before use.
I assume that you are using pulse plating to try to control grain size. You may already know that the first European Seminar on Pulse Plating was held in Vienna last March. There is a comprehensive report on the papers in the Transactions of the Institute of Metal finishing January 2007 volume 85 No 1
The paper by Halmdienst et al on pulse plating nickel may be of particular interest.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England