Electrochemical Preparation and Post-treatment of Composite Porous Foam NiZn Alloy Electrodes with High Activity for Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Composite porous foam NiZn alloy electrodes with nano pore structure were prepared by the combination of eletrodeposition, heat treatment and HCl etching. The morphology of the electrodes was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). And the component of the electrodes was analyzed by Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS). The specific surface area and pore size of the electrode were investigated by nitrogen adsorption. The phase constituents were analyzed by X ray diffraction (XRD), and the electrocatalytic characteristics for hydrogen evolution reaction of the electrodes in 30% (mass fraction) KOH solution were investigated by cathode polarization curve. The experimental results showed that the pores were formed on surface of the foam NiZn alloy electrodes after heat treatment at 600 °C, and with the etching by 10% HCl, nano layered structure was formed on the surface of the porous skeleton. Compared with the nickel foam, the surface area of the NiZn foam alloy electrode became larger, and the nano pore structure had good catalytic activity. At current density of 200 mA·dm−2, the hydrogen evolution overpotential of the NiZn foam alloy electrodes were reduced by 222 mV and 276 mV, respectively, through heat treatment of 600 °C and etching in 10% HCl solution, which indicated that the hydrogen evolution overpotential was effectively reduced because of the composite nano porous structure, while the activity of hydrogen evolution of the electrodes was obviously improved.