Effect of complexing agent on the morphology and microstructure of electroless deposited Ni–P alloy

In this work, aminoacetic was selected as the main complexing agent in the electroless nickel deposition. SEM and AFM were used to study the morphology and microstructure. It was found that the nucleation processes strongly depend on the complex content. With the content of the complex increasing in the bath solution, the morphologies of the initial priority depositing points changed from coniform shapes to planers. Coniform growth centers grew up to hemispherical microstructure depositions, and planar growth centers caused smooth plane microstructure depositions finally.