{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,3]],"date-time":"2026-04-03T09:50:51Z","timestamp":1775209851386,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":58,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,2]],"date-time":"2024-09-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1725235200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"FCT\u2014Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","award":["UIDB\/00285\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00285\/2020"]}]},{"name":"FCT\u2014Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","award":["LA\/P\/0112\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["LA\/P\/0112\/2020"]}]},{"name":"FCT\u2014Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","award":["02\/C05-i01\/2022"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["02\/C05-i01\/2022"]}]},{"name":"FCT\u2014Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","award":["7253"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["7253"]}]},{"name":"PRR\u2014Recovery and Resilience Plan and by the Next Generation EU Funds","award":["UIDB\/00285\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00285\/2020"]}]},{"name":"PRR\u2014Recovery and Resilience Plan and by the Next Generation EU Funds","award":["LA\/P\/0112\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["LA\/P\/0112\/2020"]}]},{"name":"PRR\u2014Recovery and Resilience Plan and by the Next Generation EU Funds","award":["02\/C05-i01\/2022"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["02\/C05-i01\/2022"]}]},{"name":"PRR\u2014Recovery and Resilience Plan and by the Next Generation EU Funds","award":["7253"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["7253"]}]},{"name":"Component 5\u2014Capitalization and Business Innovation\u2014Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovation","award":["UIDB\/00285\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00285\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Component 5\u2014Capitalization and Business Innovation\u2014Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovation","award":["LA\/P\/0112\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["LA\/P\/0112\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Component 5\u2014Capitalization and Business Innovation\u2014Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovation","award":["02\/C05-i01\/2022"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["02\/C05-i01\/2022"]}]},{"name":"Component 5\u2014Capitalization and Business Innovation\u2014Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovation","award":["7253"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["7253"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Coatings"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Coatings can be created using various technologies and serve different roles, including protection, functionality, and decorative purposes. Among these technologies, electrodeposition has emerged as a low-cost, versatile, and straightforward process with remarkable scalability and manufacturability. Nickel, extensively studied in the context of electrodeposition, has many applications ranging from decorative to functional. The main objective of the present work is the electrodeposition of double-layer nickel coatings, consisting of a bright nickel pre-coating followed by a black nickel layer with enhanced properties, onto steel substrates. The influence of deposition parameters on colour, morphology, adhesion, roughness, and coefficient of friction was studied. The effects of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and WS2 nanoparticles on the coatings\u2019 properties and performance were also investigated. Additionally, the influence of the steel substrate\u2019s pre-treatment, consisting of immersion in an HCl solution, prior to the electrodeposition, to etch the surface and activate it, was evaluated and optimized. The characterization of the pre-coating revealed a homogeneous surface with a medium superficial feature of 2.56 \u03bcm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) results showed a high content of Ni, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed its crystallinity. In contrast, the black films\u2019 characterization revealed their amorphous nature. The BN10 sample, which corresponds to a black nickel layer with a deposition time of 10 min, showed the best results for colour and roughness, presenting the lowest brightness (L*) value (closest to absolute black) and the most homogeneous roughness. EDS analysis confirmed the incorporation of WS2, but all samples with CTAB exhibited signs of corrosion and cracks, along with higher coefficient of friction (COF) values.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/coatings14091125","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,2]],"date-time":"2024-09-02T06:51:17Z","timestamp":1725259877000},"page":"1125","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":8,"title":["Optimization of Black Nickel Coatings\u2019 Electrodeposit onto Steel"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-8039-7541","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gabriel","family":"Santos","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Lu\u00eds Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3596-6588","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zohra","family":"Benzarti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Lu\u00eds Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Laboratory of Multifunctional Materials and Applications (LaMMA), Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Soukra Road km 3.5, B.P. 1171, Sfax 3000, Tunisia"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7136-5918","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Diogo","family":"Cavaleiro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Lu\u00eds Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Lu\u00eds","family":"Figueiredo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"SRAMPORT Lda., Rua Ant\u00f3nio S\u00e9rgio 15, 3025-041 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3643-4973","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sandra","family":"Carvalho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Lu\u00eds Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2217-4584","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Susana","family":"Devesa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Lu\u00eds Reis Santos, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Schlesinger, M., and Paunovic, M. (2010). Modern Electroplating, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. [5th ed.].","DOI":"10.1002\/9780470602638"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.1002\/prac.18430300131","article-title":"Ueber eine einfaclce Methode, Baumwollfaden in Leinengeioeben nachzuweisen","volume":"30","author":"Boettger","year":"1843","journal-title":"J. Prakt. Chem."},{"key":"ref_3","first-page":"37","article-title":"Observations on the electro-chemical influence of long-continued electric currents of low tension","volume":"127","author":"Bird","year":"1837","journal-title":"Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond."},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"34","article-title":"The Story of Nickel Plating\u2014Part I","volume":"93","author":"Dubpernell","year":"2006","journal-title":"Plat. Surf. Finish."},{"key":"ref_5","unstructured":"Adams, I. (1869). Improved Mode of Electroplating with Nickel. (US90332A)."},{"key":"ref_6","unstructured":"Adams, I. (1869). Improvement in the Electro-Deposition of Nickel. (US93157)."},{"key":"ref_7","unstructured":"Weston, E. (1878). Improvement in Nickel-Plating. (US211071)."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Thompson, J.G. (1958). Nickel and Its Alloys l, United States Department of Commerce. National Bureau of Standards Circular 592.","DOI":"10.6028\/NBS.CIRC.592"},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"Woodbury, D.O. (1949). A Measure for Greatness: A Short Biography of Edward Weston, McGraw-Hill. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"Langbein, G. (1898). A Complete Treatise on the Electro-Deposition of Metals, Henry Carey Baird & Co.. [3rd ed.]."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1149\/1.3498368","article-title":"The electrodeposition of nickel from nickel chloride solutions","volume":"75","author":"Wesley","year":"1939","journal-title":"Trans. Electrochem. Soc."},{"key":"ref_12","first-page":"689","article-title":"Influence of Bath Composition on the Structure and Properties of Nickel Coatings Produced by Electrodeposition Technique","volume":"20","author":"Azem","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Hanson, D. (2023). Electroplating, The Crowood Press Ltd.. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"375","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2012.07.027","article-title":"Effect of gluconate addition on the electrodeposition of nickel from acidic baths","volume":"207","author":"Rudnik","year":"2012","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"11","article-title":"The History of Electroplating and A Historical Review of the Evolution of NASF","volume":"86","author":"Nebiolo","year":"2022","journal-title":"NASF Surf. Technol. White Pap."},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"Schlotter, M. (1932). Formation of Dense, Highly Lustrous and Impervious Deposits of Nickel. (US1972693)."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"Rose, A.H.D. (1947). Bright Nickel Plating. (US2635076)."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"14","article-title":"A Retrospective View of Nickel Plating","volume":"100","author":"Sellers","year":"2013","journal-title":"Surf. Technol. White Pap."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Wesley, W.A., and Knapp, B.B. (1957). Black Nickel Plating. (US2844530)."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"Singler, J.C. (1952). Metal Blackening Composition and Method. (US2679475)."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1329","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsusc.2019.05.244","article-title":"Electroplating of Non-Fluorinated Superhydrophobic Ni\/WC\/WS2 Composite Coatings with High Abrasive Resistance","volume":"487","author":"Zhou","year":"2019","journal-title":"Appl. Surf. Sci."},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"Nickel Institute (2022). Nickel Plating Handbook\u2014Knowledge for a Brighter Future, Nickel Institute."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gamburg, Y.D., and Zangari, G. (2011). Theory and Practice of Metal Electrodeposition, Springer.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4419-9669-5"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1016\/0927-0248(94)90287-9","article-title":"Stable Selective Coating \u201cBlack Nickel\u201d for Solar Collector Surfaces","volume":"33","author":"Koltun","year":"1994","journal-title":"Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6871","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2005.10.035","article-title":"Synthesis and Properties of Electrodeposited Ni\/Ceria Nanocomposite Coatings","volume":"200","author":"Aruna","year":"2006","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, M., Xue, Z., Yan, S., He, J., Shao, Q., Ge, W., and Lu, B. (2022). Pulse Electrodeposited Super-Hydrophobic Ni-Co\/WS2 Nanocomposite Coatings with Enhanced Corrosion-Resistance. Coatings, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/coatings12121897"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"371","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2005.11.123","article-title":"Walsh. Electrodeposition of Composite Coatings Containing Nanoparticles in a Metal Deposit","volume":"201","author":"Low","year":"2006","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2015.06.030","article-title":"Ultrasound-Assisted Electrodeposition of Thin Nickel-Based Composite Coatings with Lubricant Particles","volume":"276","author":"Tudela","year":"2015","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1856","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2010.08.054","article-title":"Electrodeposition and Tribological Characterisation of Nickel Nanocomposite Coatings Reinforced with Nanotubular Titanates","volume":"205","author":"Low","year":"2010","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"859","DOI":"10.1016\/j.electacta.2013.04.088","article-title":"Codeposition of Inorganic Fullerene-like WS2 Nanoparticles in an Electrodeposited Nickel Matrix under the Influence of Ultrasonic Agitation","volume":"114","author":"Fornell","year":"2013","journal-title":"Electrochi. Acta"},{"key":"ref_31","unstructured":"Kanani, N. (2004). Electroplating\u2014Basic Principles, Processes and Practice, Elsevier. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"147","DOI":"10.1179\/0020296715Z.000000000237","article-title":"Influence of Surfactants on Electrodeposition of a Ni-Nanoparticulate SiC Composite Coating","volume":"93","author":"Walsh","year":"2015","journal-title":"Trans. Inst. Met. Finish."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"126292","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2020.126292","article-title":"Synergistic Effect of Surfactant and Saccharin on Dispersion and Crystal Refinement for Electrodeposition of Nanocrystalline Nickel\/Graphene Oxide Composite","volume":"402","author":"Zhang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_34","unstructured":"Kumar, M., Rana, M., and Kannan, M. (2019). Some Studies on the Performance of Activated-TIG Welding in Steel Weldments. Int. J. Mech. Prod. Eng. Res. Dev. (IJMPERD), 5\u201310."},{"key":"ref_35","unstructured":"ASTM International (2010). Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for Piping Applications 1, ASTM International."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"725","DOI":"10.1107\/S0567739482001454","article-title":"A Measurement of Charge Aspherieity in Iron Metal","volume":"38","author":"Ohba","year":"1982","journal-title":"Acta Cryst."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"645","DOI":"10.1108\/IJSI-09-2015-0039","article-title":"Typical Defects in Plate and Long Steel Products","volume":"7","author":"Papaefthymiou","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. J. Struct. Integr."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"129548","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2023.129548","article-title":"Superhydrophobic Ni Nanocone Surface Prepared by Electrodeposition and Its Overall Performance","volume":"464","author":"Wang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"153785","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jallcom.2020.153785","article-title":"Nanocrystalline Ni Coating Prepared by a Novel Electrodeposition","volume":"830","author":"Zhang","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Alloys Compd."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"631936","DOI":"10.1155\/2013\/631936","article-title":"Quantitative Analysis of Electroplated Nickel Coating on Hard Metal","volume":"2013","author":"Wahab","year":"2013","journal-title":"Sci. World J."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, R., Yuan, Y., Wang, H., and Guo, X. (2018). Adhesion Performance of Electrodeposited Ni Films with Different Treating Methods. Coatings, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/coatings8060201"},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"266","DOI":"10.1016\/S0925-8388(01)01739-X","article-title":"Disproportionation of CaNi3 Hydride: Formation of New Hydride: CaNiH3","volume":"333","author":"Takeshita","year":"2002","journal-title":"J. Alloys Compd."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Okonkwo, B.O., Jeong, C., and Jang, C. (2022). Advances on Cr and Ni Electrodeposition for Industrial Applications\u2014A Review. Coatings, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/coatings12101555"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"460","DOI":"10.1016\/j.electacta.2016.07.125","article-title":"Influence of a Metallic Nickel Interlayer on the Performance of Solar Absorber Coatings Based on Black Nickel Electrodeposited onto Copper","volume":"213","author":"Oskam","year":"2016","journal-title":"Electrochim. Acta"},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"409","DOI":"10.1007\/s11998-010-9310-1","article-title":"A Study on the Electrocodeposition Processes and Properties of Ni-SiC Nanocomposite Coatings","volume":"8","author":"Wang","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Coat. Technol. Res."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"957","DOI":"10.1007\/s10800-006-9162-7","article-title":"Recent Developments in the Electrodeposition of Nickel and Some Nickel-Based Alloys","volume":"36","author":"Smith","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Appl. Electrochem."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"302","DOI":"10.1016\/j.solener.2019.10.066","article-title":"Electrodeposition of Selective Coatings Based on Black Nickel for Flat-Plate Solar Water Heaters","volume":"194","author":"Oskam","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sol. Energy"},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mennucci, M.M., Montes, R., Bastos, A.C., Monteiro, A., Oliveira, P., Tedim, J., and Ferreira, M.G.S. (2021). Nanostructured Black Nickel Coating as Replacement for Black Cr(VI) Finish. Appl. Sci., 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/app11093924"},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3385","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2007.12.005","article-title":"Effects of Surfactants on Electrodeposition of Nickel-Carbon Nanotubes Composite Coatings","volume":"202","author":"Guo","year":"2008","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3530","DOI":"10.1002\/pssc.200779428","article-title":"Electrochemical Deposition of Ni-based Thin Film Cermets Using Polymeric Additives","volume":"5","author":"Duta","year":"2008","journal-title":"Phys. Status Solidi C"},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.1016\/S0927-0248(98)00113-5","article-title":"Characterization of Black Nickel Solar Absorber Coatings Electroplated in a Nickel Chlorine Aqueous Solution","volume":"56","year":"1998","journal-title":"Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells"},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.1149\/2.0871906jes","article-title":"Relation between Color and Surface Morphology of Electrodeposited Chromium for Decorative Applications","volume":"166","author":"Leimbach","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Electrochem. Soc."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ponte, F., Sharma, P., Figueiredo, N.M., Ferreira, J., and Carvalho, S. (2023). Decorative Chromium Coatings on Polycarbonate Substrate for the Automotive Industry. Materials, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma16062315"},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108589","DOI":"10.1016\/j.diamond.2021.108589","article-title":"Wear Behavior of Electrodeposited Nickel\/Graphene Composite Coating","volume":"119","author":"Li","year":"2021","journal-title":"Diam. Relat. Mater."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108960","DOI":"10.1016\/j.triboint.2023.108960","article-title":"Tribological and Mechanical Properties of ZrxNy Films Obtained by HiPIMS in DOMS Mode","volume":"189","author":"Castro","year":"2023","journal-title":"Tribol. Int."},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2009.06.037","article-title":"Characterization and Frictional Behavior of Nanostructured Ni-W-MoS2 Composite Coatings","volume":"204","author":"Cardinal","year":"2009","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"743","DOI":"10.1016\/j.triboint.2004.04.003","article-title":"Wear Characterization of Electrodeposited Ni-WC Composite Coatings","volume":"37","author":"Surender","year":"2004","journal-title":"Tribol. Int."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.1007\/s12666-017-1175-x","article-title":"Review of Nickel-Based Electrodeposited Tribo-Coatings","volume":"71","author":"Mahidashti","year":"2018","journal-title":"Trans. Indian Inst. Met."}],"container-title":["Coatings"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-6412\/14\/9\/1125\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T15:47:09Z","timestamp":1760111229000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-6412\/14\/9\/1125"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,2]]},"references-count":58,"journal-issue":{"issue":"9","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,9]]}},"alternative-id":["coatings14091125"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/coatings14091125","relation":{},"ISSN":["2079-6412"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2079-6412","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,2]]}}}