HYDROGEN CATHODS WITH LOW OVERVOLTAGE AND THEIR PREPARATION PROCESS

摘要

A cathode for use in electrolytic processes and a process for preparing such cathodes is described. The cathode has a cathodically active surface comprising a codeposit of a first metal selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, and mixtures thereof, a leachable second metal or metal oxide preferably selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, manganese, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, indium, chromium, zinc, their oxides, and combinations thereof, and a third metal selected from the group consisting of cadmium, mercury, lead, silver, thallium, bismuth, copper and mixtures thereof. Such cathodes are prepared by initially forming a codeposit of the three metals or metal oxides, and subsequently removing at least a portion of the second metal or metal oxide from the codeposit. The second metal or metal oxide component can be conveniently removed by leaching, utilizing an alkaline solution. A substantially reduced hydrogen cathode overvoltage is obtained when the present cathodes are utilized in an electrolytic cell.