Preparation of Ni-coated Si3N4 powders via electroless plating method

The Ni/Si3N4 coated powders were successfully prepared via electroless plating method by using hydrazine hydrate (N2H4·H2O) as a reducing agent. The coated powders were characterized with several techniques such as scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, Transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction to determine particle size, composition, phase and morphology. It indicated that the core–shell structure of Ni/Si3N4 has been constructed in the present method, the Ni layer on the surface of Si3N4 particles was relatively continuous and uniform, but it is inevitable that only in very small area occurred the aggregation of Ni particles. In principle, the coated process was successful and expectable.