Investigation of electrodeposited Ni-based coatings for biodiesel storage

Biodiesel commonly experiences oxidative and hydrolytic degradation, leading to problems of low storage stability and corrosion of fuel containers. This study investigates the fabrication and use of electrodeposited nickel and nickel–tungsten alloys as potential coating materials that effectively protect steel-based biodiesel containers from corrosion. Through long-term static immersion, surface analyses of the coatings, and assessments of the biodiesel’s acidity, it is determined that the electrodeposited nickel is well compatible with biodiesel, whereas the addition of tungsten deteriorates the corrosion resistance of nickel. Tight control of the tungsten content in nickel deposits is required to enhance both mechanical integrity and corrosion resistance of the deposits exposed to biodiesel environments.