LIGNIN AUGMENTED HYDROGEN ABSORPTION BY PALLADIUM CATHODE

In alkaline water electrolysis, the incorporation of lignin is found t o yield a faradaic efficiency of over 95% at constant potential at a P t electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and hydrogen permeation studies carrie d out at the Pd/0.1M NaOH interface bring out the fact that lipin enha nces the adsorpion of hydrogen on Pd during the cathodic polarization. The kinetics of the cathodic reaction is under mass transfer control in the case of the Pt/NaOH interface, whereas the same is controlled b y the adsorption of hydrogen on the electrode surface in the case of t he Pd/NaOH interface. Hence, Pt is preferable to Pd in alkaline water electrolysis, but Pd is to be preferred for efficient hydrogen storage .