Investigation on the current efficiency of Ni/graphite powders fabricated by electroplating

In order to improve the cathodic current efficiency of electroplating for nickel on graphite powders, the influence of temperatures and current densities on the cathodic current efficiency was studied. Meanwhile, the effects of composition in the plating solution were investigated through polarization curves of plating solution. The results showed that the optimal cathodic current efficiency occurred with an electrode area ratio of 1.0 between the anode and cathode at a current density of −9...−12 A dm −2 at 55°C. Nickel coated graphite (Ni/graphite) powders with 60 wt % nickel were produced by electrodeposition for 30 min under the intermittent stirring. The characterization results of powders with SEM and EDS exhibited that high nickel coverage and uniform plating coating Ni/graphite powders were fabricated.