Electrolytic method of producing an active cobalt electrode for the evolution of hydrogen

摘要

A method of producing a cobalt plated electrode is disclosed. The method comprises subjecting an electrically conductive substrate to electrolytic plating in an aqueous bath containing cobalt ions and a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of hypophosphite salts, phosphite salts, formaldehyde and hydrazine in the concentration of 2 to 100 gpl. Ammonium ions and a weak complexing agent are preferably added to the bath. The current density is in the range of 0.2 to 150 mA/cm.sup. 2 and the temperature of the bath between 20 and 80 C.