Effect of Cr3+ on the electrodeposition of nickel from acidic sulfate solutions

The effect of Cr3+ on the cathodic current efficiency (CE), deposit morphology, crystallographic orientations and polarisation behaviour during nickel electrodeposition from acidic sulfate solutions containing boric acid was investigated. A progressive decrease in CE was seen with increase in Cr3+ concentration showing a maximum decrease in CE of ∼10–13% at concentration ∼100 mg dm−3. The presence of Cr3+ did not change the fcc structure of the electrodeposited nickel but affected the peak intensities of the crystal planes. Polarisation of the cathode was seen in the presence of Cr3+ in the electrolyte along with a shift in the electroreduction potential of nickel (II) ion towards more negative values. The effect of Cr3+ on the electrokinetic parameters: Tafel slope (b), transfer coefficient (α) and exchange current density (i0) has also been investigated.