Evaluating optimized electroless plating of carbon nano-fibers by nickel nanoparticles utilizing UV–Vis spectrophotometry and MCR–ALS chemometrics method

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to optimize the nickel (Ni) coating of carbon nano-fibers (CNF) utilizing electroless plating (EP) method. A total number of 30 runs were studied in different experimental conditions such as temperature, time, reducing agent concentration and Ni concentration using central composite design (CCD) method. Pure CNF and functionalized CNF were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The concentration of the Ni after plating was quantitatively analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy in order to determine the amount of coated Ni. Ni/CNF was also characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray fluorescent spectroscopy as well (XRF). The optimized experimental condition was determined as: 38.5 g/l concentration Ni, 65 min time, 60 °C temperature and 8.0 g/l reducing agent concentration. The nanostructure s size was estimated to be 29 nm as an optimized response of Ni/CNF. Eventually, the ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy in 200−800 nm spectral region along with multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) chemometric technique was performed to evaluate the adsorption process.