Electrodeposition of Hydrophobic Nickel Composite Containing Surface-Modified SiO2 Particles under the Influence of a Surfactant with an Azobenzene Moiety

Electrodeposit of nickel with high content of the surface-modified silica particles by a silane-coupling agent was prepared from the Watts nickel bath containing the silica particles dispersed with the aid of a surfactant containing an azobenzene moiety. This composite coating plated under optimized conditions exhibited the ultra high water repellency property with the contact angle of 156°.