Catalytic activity of nickel–copper powder alloys in the processes of electrochemical hydrogen evolution in alkaline solution and ethanol alkaline solution

Abstract

Ni 93 Cu and Ni 82 Cu (at%) alloys were synthesized by the method of combined chemical reduction of Ni(II) and Cu(II) with hydrazine hydrate. These alloys consist of crystalline phases of nickel, solid solution of copper in nickel. Determination by the “capacitive method” of the electrochemically active surface area of working graphite electrodes with “catalytic inks” containing Ni 93 Cu and Ni8 2 Cu powders showed that it is 4 and 20 % larger than for nickel powder, respectively. It was found that powder alloys Ni 93 Cu and Ni 82 Cu are applicable as catalysts for the electrochemical process of hydrogen evolution in alkaline solutions and alkaline ethanol solution. It was determined that the catalytic activity of Ni82Cu powder alloy in the process of hydrogen evolution in the alkaline ethanol solution is higher than for nickel and Ni 93 Cu powders. The catalytic ability of the Ni 82 Cu powder alloy during cycling for 25 cycles practically does not change, in contrast to Ni and Ni 93 Cu.