Nanostructured Black Nickel Coating as Replacement for Black Cr(VI) Finish
Marina Martins Mennucci, Rodrigo H. O. Montes, A.C. Bastos, Alcino Monteiro, Pedro Henrique Fernandes Oliveira, João Tedim, M.G.S. Ferreira
Abstract
This work compares different electrodeposition procedures to produce nickel black coatings as greener and less toxic alternatives to Cr(VI)-based coatings used in different applications. Nickel and nickel-plated brass served as substrates in studies with a Hull cell and polarization curves. After a set of comparative experiments, the best electrodeposition procedure was further studied and optimized. Optimal conditions were found with a bath consisting of 75 g/L NiCl2·6H2O + 30 g/L NaCl and a current density of 0.143 A dm−2 applied for 5 min at room temperature. Furthermore, a pre-treatment with 18.5 vol.% of hydrochloric acid in water was found to be necessary to warrant good coating adhesion to the substrate. The black color is attributed to the development of a nanostructured surface that absorbs the incident light. Corrosion testing was performed in 0.5 M NaCl aqueous solution using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization tests.