Preparation of Ni nanoparticle-TiO2 nanotube composite by pulse electrodeposition

A Ni/TiO₂ nanocomposite was successfully prepared by a pulse electrodeposition (PED) technique. Highly-ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays fabricated by anodization were employed as a substrate and loaded with Ni nanoparticles by PED. The influence of pulse electrodeposition parameters was investigated on the morphology of nickel electrodeposits. The nanocomposite was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that Ni nanoparticles with average size ranging from 19 to 84 nm were obtained by changing electrodeposition parameters. At constant current off-time (t_off) and pulse time of both negative and positive currents, the particle size decreased asymptotically with increasing amplitude of both negative and positive current. A progressive decrease of the particle size was observed with increasing current off-time at constant amplitude and pulse time of both negative and positive current. Increase in the deposition time at constant current off-time, amplitude and pulse time of both negative and positive current resulted in particle growth.