Effect of C-felt supported Ni, Co and NiCo catalysts to produce hydrogen

In this study, the carbon felt (C-felt) is used as the catalyst support for Ni, Co and NiCo coatings. Single Ni, Co and binary NiCo coatings are electrochemically deposited on a C-felt. Surface structure of coatings was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrocatalytic activity of the coatings for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was studied in 1.00 M KOH solution using cathodic current-potential curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrolysis techniques. The results show that since carbon felt has fiber and network structure, and this structure is enhanced the hydrogen evolution. Deposition of nickel, and cobalt on C-felt is enhanced the hydrogen production. Furthermore, NiCo catalyst exhibits much higher activity for HER. Its catalytic activity is related to the fiber and network structure of C-felt, porosity and the loaded NiCo can interact with each other and cooperate on improving the HER activity. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.