Electrodeposited Ni/C-SnO2 composite electrode materials for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte

Abstract

The high performance Ni/C-SnO2 composite electrodes were successfully prepared for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media by an easy and low cost composite electrolytic deposition method. The Ni/C-SnO2 composite coating was physically examined by using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX). The XRD and EDX results showed that C-SnO2 particles prepared by high temperature hydrolysis method were successfully incorporated in Ni coatings. The preferred orientation of Ni particle in composited coatings had been altered to (111) crystal plane which was more benefit for HER. The SEM and XRD results indicated that the addition of C-SnO2 particles refined Ni crystallization in composite coatings. The catalytic activity and stability of the composite coatings for hydrogen evolution reaction were examined by steady-state polarization, Tafel plots, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronopotentiometry technique. Compared to Ni coating, the Ni/C-SnO2 composite coatings exhibited higher hydrogen evolution performance. The abundant OHads on C-SnO2 surface accelerated the water molecular decomposition and Hads formation which determined the rate of HER (Volmer step). The carbon in C-SnO2 improved the conductivity of composite electrode, which was also helpful for HER.