Surface analysis of nickel nanomaterials electrodeposited on graphite surface

Pure Nickel (Ni) and Nickel-Palladium (Ni-Pd) alloy were electrodeposited on graphite surface via pulse electrolysis in dimethyl sulfoxide in form of rods and nanoparticles with a diameter of ~100-350 and ~10-35 nm, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of Ni 2p _3/2 region for these nanomaterials suggests on their surface Ni ²⁺ precursor while after Ar ⁺ ion-etching metallic nickel starts to be dominated. Both Pd ⁰ and Pd ²⁺ for XPS spectra of Pd 3d _5/2 and 3d _3/2 were observed after electrodeposition. Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray and XPS analysis confirmed electrodeposition of nickel nanomaterials in non-aqueous electrolyte. Using a lower concentration of Ni ²⁺ precursor, nanoparticles with an average particle size of ~10-23 nm were prepared on a graphite surface.