Influence of electrodeposition parameters of Ni–W on Ni cathode for alkaline water electrolyser

In this study, different Ni–W coatings, obtained by cheap and technologically simple electrodeposition method, were examined as potential electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). All electrodepositions were done on a Ni mesh substrate from ammoniacal-citrate bath containing different concentrations of Na₂WO₄. The influence of deposition parameters, such as deposition current density, pH and composition of ammoniacal-citrate bath on electrocatalytic activity of obtained Ni–W coatings toward HER was examined by polarization curve measurements in 6 M KOH at room temperature. The morphology and tungsten content of the Ni–W coatings were investigated by means of SEM and EDS analysis. All investigated electrodes have shown high electrocatalytic activity for the HER. The samples obtained at higher deposition current densities had the lowest overvoltage for the HER. It has been shown that the plating bath pH value is very important parameter in obtaining active coatings. Results of the analysis of polarization curves, morphology of deposited Ni–W coatings and the content of tungsten in the coatings, indicate that the surface roughness of the coatings is responsible for their catalytic activity towards HER.