In this study, we perform first principles simulations on both atomically smooth and nanostructured Ni(111) slabs. The latter contains periodically distributed nickel nanoclusters atop a thin metal film gradually growing from adatoms and serving as a promising catalyst. Applying the generalized gradient approximation within the formalism of the density functional theory we compare the atomic and electronic structures of Ni bulk, as well as both perfect and nanostructured (111) surfaces obtained using two different ab initio approaches: (i) the linear combination of atomic orbitals and (ii) the projector augmented plane waves. The most essential inter-atomic forces between the Ni adatoms upon the substrate have been found to be formed via: (i) attractive pair-wise interactions, (ii) repulsive triple-wise interactions within a triangle and (iii) attractive triple-wise interactions within a line between the nearest adatoms. The attractive interactions surmount the repulsive forces, hence resulting in the formation of stable clusters from Ni adatoms. The magnetic moment and the effective charge (within both Mulliken and Bader approaches) of the outer atoms in Ni nanoparticles increase as compared to those for the smooth Ni(111) surface. The calculated electronic charge redistribution in the Ni nanoclusters features them as possible adsorption centers with increasing catalytic activity, e.g., for further synthesis of carbon nanotubes. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.