Electroless Deposition of Nickel Nanoparticles at Room Temperature

Abstract

Metallic nickel (Ni) nanoparticles with a mean diameter of about 70 nm are successfully formed by electroless deposition in an aqueous solution at 273 K. The formation of Ni nanoparticles is investigated by in situ mixed potential measurement in combination with thermodynamic calculation. The deposition rate of Ni is measured using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The mixed potential of reaction solution drastically decreases below the oxidation-reduction potential of Ni (II)/Ni redox pair at about-0.60 v vs SHE after 30 min reaction. This coincides with a sharp increase in the deposited mass, suggesting Ni deposition.