Electrochemical synthesis of Ni-S/CeO_2 composite electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction

摘要

Ni-S/CeO_2 electrodes have been prepared by a composite electrodeposition technique using nickel sulfaminate bath containing suspended micro- or nano-sized CeO_2 particles. The composite electrodes exhibit a high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solutions, most likely due to the synergistic effects between Ni and CeO_2, as well as the increased surface area of the electrodes upon addition of CeO_2 particles. It is found that the addition of CeO_2 particles can lead to an increase of the sulphur content, resulting in more amorphous structures in the composite coatings. The Ni-S/micro-CeO_2 composite electrode yields a higher HER activity than that measured with Ni-Sano-CeO_2 electrode, which is 2.2 times higher than that on the Ni-S coating. The relevant discussion was provided to elucidate the promotional roles of CeO_2 particles in the composite electrodeposition process and corresponding HER activity.