NICKEL-BASED, BINARY-COMPOSITE ELECTROCATALYSTS FOR THE CATHODES IN THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL-PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN FROM ALKALINE-WATER ELECTROLYTIC CELLS

Ni-Mo, Ni-Zn, Ni-Co, Ni-W, Ni-Cr and Ni-Fe, binary-composite, codeposi t surface coatings on mild-steel substrates were prepared by conventio nal electrodeposition techniques. The chemical compositions and the mi crographic surface features of these coatings are reported. The utilit y of these coatings as cathodes in laboratory-scale alkaline-water ele ctrolytic cells was assessed by polarisation techniques. The trend in their electrocatalytic activities ranks in this order: Ni Mo > Ni Zn > Ni Co > Ni W > Ni Fe > Ni Cr. The electrocatalytic activity of these coatings is very significant when compared with the data on convention al mild-steel cathodes currently used in industry. The results obtaine d experimentally are presented. A brief discussion is also included to highlight their utility.