Selective determination of grain size in the electrodeposition of nanocrystalline nickel foils

Highlights: • A model is developed to determine grain size of nanocrystalline electrodeposits. • The model relates the energy per pulse with the constituent grain size. • The case for Ni is now presented along with a review of AuCu results. • The mechanical properties are assessed through tribo-indentation and tensile tests. There are many synthesis methods through phase space to produce nanostructures in metals. Condensation methods with rapid solidification are extensively explored from the gas or liquid phase. In particular, electrodeposition using pulsed currents favors continuous nucleation in the processing of structures to produce free-standing sheets as well as protective coatings for surfaces. An analysis approach used to develop the method for refining the structure and surface finish for nanocrystalline gold-copper alloy coatings relates the energy in each deposition pulse to the constituent grain size that forms during growth. Application is now pursued to evaluate a select determination of the grain size for nanocrystalline nickel foils synthesized by pulsed electrodeposition. The mechanical behaviors of hardness and rate-sensitivity of strength are assessed as function of grain size.