Electrochemically fabricated NiCu alloy catalysts for hydrogen production in alkaline water electrolysis

Abstract

NiCu alloy catalysts for alkaline water electrolysis were prepared by an electrodeposition method varying the alloy composition. When the deposition potential became more positive, the bulk and surface Cu content in NiCu alloys as well as the catalyst particle size gradually increased, which were confirmed by various spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The surface coverage of the catalysts was found to be a function of the deposition potential, as well. The catalytic activities of the prepared NiCu alloys to hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were investigated with cyclic voltammetry in a 6.0 M KOH electrolyte at 298 K, and the mass activities of NiCu alloys were correlated with bulk and surface Cu contents to investigate the Cu alloying effect.