Enhancing the kinetics of electrodeposition of nickel ions from wastewater using silver nanoparticles-activated carbon composite cathode electrocatalyst

Abstract The research problem is the serious contamiation of wastewater by Ni(II)ion from various industries. The objective was the formulation of new porous cathode material for rapid removal of Ni(II) ion from WW by electrodeposition (ED). Methodological approach was designed by preperation of silver nanoparticles (Ag 0 NPs)- activated carbon composite and its evalution as porous cathode. This new study investigated ED of Ni(II) ions from simulated wastewater (NiSO 4 electrolyte) using a composite cathode catalyst: Ag 0 NPs-activated carbon (Ag 0 @AC) with percentage removal efficiency (%R) of Ni(II) ions 96% at 1.0 g dose composite. Finding: Ag 0 @AC composite improved performance the adhesion, cohesion, continuity, compactness, and uniform thickness of ED Ni on cathode surface. Modifying graphite cathode by Ag 0 NPs and the electroplating bath by the inorganic acids improved ED kinetics. Faradic cathodic current efficiency 98% was achieved by depolarizing electrodes surfaces from the reaction products. The activation overvoltage controls ED kinetics. Ag 0 @AC provided anchoring sites for the ED Ni.The optimum ED conditions were: current density, 10 mA cm − 2 ; temperature 25 °C; rotation speed, 100 rpm; pH 7 the electrical conductivity of the solution was 180 µS. The ED of Ni as (Ni-Ag-AC) metal matrix composites improved. Ag 0 @AC composite caused surface roughness of cathode by creating grooves filled with ED Ni. The perspectives of this study is the facile scale up application to several cubic meters of wastewater.