On the influence of magnetic field on electrodeposition of Ni–TiO2 composites from a citrate baths

Abstract In this paper, we present the results a study on the influence of electrolysis conditions including external magnetic field on the properties of Ni–TiO2 composite materials synthesized from a citrate bath. The influence of electrode potential, TiO2 concentration in the electrolyte, as well as the value of magnetic field induction vector on the deposition rate, composition, current efficiency, structure, surface states and morphology of the synthesized coatings is reported. The obtained results indicate possibilities of synthesis of composites containing up to 1.39 wt % of TiO2. Dependent on the applied electrolysis condition current efficiency amounts to from 38.1 to 45.5% for B = 0 T and from 46.3 to 53.1 for B = 1 T. The results of electrochemical studies as well as further characterization of synthesized materials indicate that the presence of the magnetic field strongly influenced the kinetics of the processes responsible for materials formation. Voltammetric, XRD and XPS analyses indicate simultaneous formation of hydrides and hydroxides during electrolysis.