Deposition yield of nickel in alkaline bath for synthesizing Ni-63 beta source

Abstract

Nickel (Ni) and Ni-63 films were synthesized by direct current electrodeposition. The composition of an alkaline electrolyte was ammonium citrate (25 g/l), hydrazine hydrate (25 g/l), and ammonium solution (25%) for adjusting the pH to 10. The acidic electrolyte at pH 4 was prepared using a full chloride bath. A higher deposition yield (92%) of the citrate electrolyte (pH 10) than 73% of acidic electrolyte (pH4) was measured using ICP. The deposition yield of radioactive Ni-63 in a citrate bath was also same as natural Ni in alkaline electrolyte. A newly prepared alkaline bath for the deposition of Ni-63 can be a solution for an extremely decreased radio-activity in the waste after plating.