Production and Electrochemical Characterization of Nickel Based Composite Coatings Containing Chromium Group Metal and Silicon Powders

The Ni+Cr+Si, Ni+Mo+Si and Ni+W+Si composite coatings were obtained by electrodeposition of crystalline nickel from an electrolyte containing suspension of suitable metallic and non-metallic components (Cr, Mo, W and Si). These coatings were obtained galvanostatically at the current density of jdep = -0.100 A cm-2 and at the temperature of 338 K. Chemical composition of the coatings was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The electrochemical activity of these electrocatalysts was studied in the process of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 5 M KOH solution using steady-state polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. The kinetic parameters of the HER on particular electrode materials were determined. It was found that Ni+Mo+Si composite coatings are characterized by enhanced electrochemical activity towards the HER as compared with Ni+W+Si and Ni+Cr+Si coatings due to the presence of Mo and increase in electrochemically active surface area.