Effect of Cd2+ on the electrodeposition of nickel from sulfate solutions. Part I: Current efficiency, surface morphology and crystal orientations

The effect of Cd2+ on the current efficiency, surface morphology and crystallographic orientations of the electrodeposited nickel from sulfate baths of varying compositions was investigated. The results indicated that Cd2+ had no significant effect on the current efficiency but there was a noticeable change in the surface morphology and deposit quality. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the (200) plane was the most preferred orientation and was not generally affected by the presence of Cd2+ in the electrolytic bath.