Electrodeposited Ni-P electrodes: An effect of amorphous structure on the electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen oxidation reaction in alkaline media

Glassy carbon supported Ni/GC and amorphous Ni-P/GC electrodes were prepared by potentiostatic electrodeposition. The catalysts have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Particular attention has been paid to the influence of electrochemical oxidation on the electrochemical behavior of Ni-P/GC and Ni/GC electrodes in alkaline media as well as the activity of these electrodes in the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). It was found that the oxidation treatment changes the properties of Ni/GC electrode due to the formation of active Ni/NiOx surface sites, while insignificantly affecting the performance of Ni-P/GC sample. The unordinary behavior of electrodeposited Ni-P/GC samples is tentatively attributed to their amorphous structure and the formation of nickel phosphate under high anodic potentials, which prevents the formation of irreversible Ni oxides.

Automated summary

Glassy carbon supported Ni/GC and amorphous Ni-P/GC electrodes were prepared and characterized. The effect of electrochemical oxidation on the electrochemical behavior was investigated. The oxidation treatment significantly affected the properties of Ni/GC electrode, while had little impact on the performance of Ni-P/GC sample.