Spectroscopic study of nickel(II) hydroxide surface modifications induced by a small iron(III) addition

Comparative Auger electron spectroscopic data on the surface composition and depth profiling for beta-Ni(OH)(2) and Ni(OH)(2) coprecipitated with iron(III) (3 at.%) are given showing a non-uniform distribution of the latter. They are considered together with their structural characteristics obtained using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (both samples) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (Fe-containing sample). The results obtained provide an explanation for the specific behaviour of the Fe(III)-doped nickel(II) hydroxide in heterogeneous processes (adsorption, electrocatalysis).