Electroless nickel plating of electrospun carbon nanofibers

In the present study، due to the importance of nickel plating in the improvement of carbon nanofiber surface properties، the electroless nickel plating of electrospun carbon nanofibers was carried out using a commercial electroless bath. The electrospun carbon nanofibers were submerged into the electroless nickel bath and held for 20 minutes at 45 ˚C and a pH value of 9. Results obtained from scanning electron microscopy observations and X ray diffraction analysis indicated that a uniform nickel coating of about 184 nm thickness was formed on the whole surface of carbon nanofibers. The fiber fabrication process was performed in the presence of nickel as a graphitization catalyst. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the presence of nickel nanoparticles on the surface of fibers and the accomplishment of graphitization at 1400 °C.