Use of nickel(II) acetylacetonate and dimethylgold(III) acetylacetonate in gold on nickel plating

This study investigates the use of non-toxic materials in nickel and gold plating baths that are used to plate gold on nickel plated stainless steel surfaces. The physical and mechanical stability and adhesion of the plating obtained using such compositions are investigated. The thickness, colour and adhesion of the plating have been studied using X-ray measurements, visible spectrometry and hydrogen embrittlement tests respectively. The plating baths employed in this study, which contained nickel(II) acetylacetonate and dimethylgold(III) acetylacetonate, were found to be good alternatives to conventional nickel and gold plating baths because they contain toxic nickel sulphate and cyanide salts.