Hydrogen evolution on nanostructured Ni–Cu foams

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) nickel–copper (Ni–Cu) nanostructured foams were prepared by galvanostatic electrodeposition, on stainless steel substrates, using the dynamic hydrogen bubble template. These foams were tested as electrodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 8 M KOH solutions. Polarisation curves were obtained for the Ni–Cu foams and for a solid Ni electrode, in the 25–85 °C temperature range, and the main kinetic parameters were determined. It was observed that the 3D foams have higher catalytic activity than pure Ni. HER activation energies for the Ni–Cu foams were lower (34–36 kJ mol⁻¹) than those calculated for the Ni electrode (62 kJ mol⁻¹). The foams also presented high stability for HER, which makes them potentially attractive cathode materials for application in industrial alkaline electrolysers.