Electrochemical Characteristics of the Amorphous-Nanocrystal Ni–Mo Cathodes in Sodium Hydroxide Solution

Abstract

The amorphous-nanocrystal Ni-Mo deposits were obtained by electrodeposition in alkaline nickel carbonate solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and modern technologies were used to describe the content, microstructure and morphology of the deposits. The electrochemical characteristics of Ni-Mo deposits were electrolyzed in 33°C, 7 mol/L NaOH electrolytic solutions. The results showed that when I was 100 mA·cm−2, the hydrogen evolution potential of Ni-Mo21.76 was lower than amorphous Ni-Mo26.36 and 250mV lower than the nanocrystal Ni cathode. And the Ni-Mo deposits with more amorphous phase content would be in lower hydrogen evolution overpotential, a higher exchange current density, and a better electrolytic stability. These due to the amorphous combined with nanocrystal, lager contact surface and binding energy of Ni-Mo structure.

Fabrication strategies for high-performance unbiased PEC water splitting cells

“…It is difficult to find new materials with high catalytic activity for the HER in metals to replace precious metals, so alloying of two (or more) metals has always been the most direct method to achieve HER catalytic activity, and Mo-Ti alloy is a typical representative. [150][151][152][153] The strong chemical adsorption formed between transition metals makes them have good catalytic activity and certain corrosion resistance under acidic or alkaline conditions. 154 As early as 2011, Lewis et al tried to use Ni-Mo alloy with abundant reserves to replace Pt as a HER cocatalyst.…”