Synthesis and characterization of Ni-P-Ag composite coating as efficient electrocatalyst for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction

The effect of addition of silver nanoparticle sol (SNS) into Ni-P plating bath was studied in terms of the variation in electrocatalytic behavior of the developed coatings in 1.0 M KOH. Ni-P-Ag composite coating was achieved through direct electrolysis by adding a known quantity of the conventionally prepared SNS into Ni-P bath. Ni-P-Ag coatings electrodeposited galvanostatically on copper under different conditions of the bath was used as electrode material for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The optimal concentration of the SNS required for maximum electrocatalytic activity towards HER was obtained by adding different volumes of SNS (from 0 to 50 mL L-1) into the bath. The HER efficiency of the test electrodes in 1.0 M KOH medium was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronopotentiometry (CP) techniques. The kinetics of HER on the alloy and composite electrodes were established through Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to confirm the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles into the Ni-P alloy matrix. The microstructure and morphology of the alloy and composite coatings were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). A significant improvement in the electrocatalytic property of nano-Ag derived composite coatings was found, and was attributed to the enhanced electroactive sites of Ag particles. Deposition conditions to maximize the electrocatalytic activity of Ni-P-Ag nanocomposite coatings in relation to traditional Ni-P alloy coatings was arrived, and results are discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.