A research group from Shiraz University, Iran, was able to synthesize nano-structural nickel coatings to minimize the health hazards concerning people involved in electroplating industries, particularly the workers who are in contact with chromium electroplating bathes.
"Regarding the grave environmental hazards posed by hard chromium electroplating, this research project was intended to produce nano-structural nickel coating, which are more compatible with the environment, as better replacements for conventional chromium coatings," Pourya Najafi Sayyar, researcher in chief, explained to the news service of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC).
"In the research, the effects of plating conditions upon the properties of nick nano-structures were investigated. Based on the results from chromium coatings, it was tried to determine optimal conditions for synthesis of nickel nano-structural coatings with superiorities to those of chromium," he added.
Najafi Sayyar also underlined that the research revealed that nanometric nickel coatings with an average particle size of 10 nanometers exhibit hardness comparable to those of chromium.
"In addition, sliding pin-on-disk test conducted in room temperature showed that nano-structural nickel coatings with an average particle size of 15 nanometers possess higher resistance against erosion and less friction factor compared to chromium coatings. Also, nano-structural nickel coatings with their average particle size of less than 22 nanometers have less surface roughness and are brighter than chromium coatings," he said.
More details on this research work are available at Transactions of the Institute of Metal Finishing, volume 87, pages 246 to 253, 2009 and Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, volume 39, pages 2489 to 2496, 2009.
