Electrodeposition of NiPd alloy from aqueous chloride electrolytes

Highlights: • Mechanism of electrode reactions resulting in NiPd alloys was described. • Electrolysis conditions enabling alloys synthesis were determined. • Alloys were characterized towards composition, structure and surface properties. - Abstract: Presented results describing properties of alloys deposited at potentiostatic conditions in Ni²⁺ – Pd²⁺ – Cl⁻ – H₂O system. Electrolysis parameters were defined based on results of thermodynamic analysis as well as voltammetry coupled with electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). Influence of electrode potential and electrolyte components concentration on alloy composition, morphology and its structure was investigated. Alloys were deposited at different Ni(II) and Pd(II) complexes concentrations. Results indicated possibilities of electrochemical synthesis of alloys of wide composition range. Deposits structure as well as crystallites size were discussed based on results of XRD measurements. Alloys composition was determined with the use of energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Morphology of alloys was characterized with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM).