Electrodeposition and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Ni‐Mo Catalysts for Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Ni‐Mo nanocrystalline deposits (7–43 nm) with a nodular morphology were prepared by electrodeposition using direct current from citrate‐ammonia solutions. They exhibited a single Ni‐Mo solid solution phase. The size of the nodules increased as electroplating current density increased. The molybdenum content—estimated using EDX analysis—in the deposits decreased from about 31 to 11 wt% as the current density increased from 5 to 80 mA·cm −2 . The highest microhardness value (285 Hv) corresponded to nanodeposits with 23% Mo. The highest corrosion resistance accompanied by relatively high hardness was detected for electrodeposits containing 15% Mo. Mo content values between 11 and 15% are recommended for obtaining better electrocatalytic activity for HER.