Impact of surface functionalization of MWCNTs on electrogenerated Ni/MWCNT composites from aqueous solutions

The impact of surface functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the formation of Ni/MWCNT composite coatings and on their physicochemical, morphological and electrochemical properties was studied. Ni/MWCNT composite coatings were electrodeposited on a copper substrate from a nickel chloride aqueous bath containing pristine, amino-functionalized or oxygen-functionalized MWCNTs. The effect of surface functionalization of MWCNTs on their dispersion in the nickel bath, their interfacial adhesion into the nickel matrix and the stability of electrodeposited composite coating were investigated. The coating with oxygen-functionalized MWCNTs has exhibited higher electrochemical stability compared to the pure nickel coating and the coatings with pristine and amino-functionalized MWCNTs due to enhanced interfacial adhesion between the oxygen-functionalized MWCNTs and the nickel matrix.