Electrochemical hydrogen absorption in Ni foam

An electrochemical hydrogen absorption-desorption study was carried out on Ni foam. The cyclic voltametry analysis of Ni foam in NaOH solution confirm ed that there is hydrogen absorption during the electrochemical process. Th e cathodic peak observed during voltametry may be assigned to an adsorption pre-wave due to water electroreduction to H-ab The peak of this wave is lo cated at a potential which is more positive than that for hydrogen evolutio n (epsilon(H2) = +/- 1.14 V) The hydride formation (implying a change in th e electronic state of the H atoms) starts in the sub-surface layer, where t he hydrogen atoms are close to the surface. The anodic peak observed in the voltammogram is interpreted as the hydrogen desorption maxima. (C) 1999 In ternational Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.