Catalytic properties and stability of nickel–tin powder alloys in the process of electrochemical hydrogen evolution from alkali solution

Abstract

Ni–Sn powder alloys with a nickel content from 24.4 to 78.5 at.% and from 30.6 to 55.1 at.%, respectively, were synthesized chemically and electrochemically for the use as catalysts for the hydrogen electrochemical reduction (HER) in alkali solution. It was established that the catalytically active surface area of chemically synthesized powders was larger in comparison with electrochemically obtained ones. Ni24.4Sn75.6 powder alloy has the largest surface area. It was found that catalytic properties of chemically synthesized powders increased in the row Ni24.4Sn75.6 < Ni78.5Sn21.5 < Ni. Electrochem ically obtained alloys are inefficient as HER catalysts. It was found that Ni24.4Sn75.6 alloy is characterized by the greater re tention of catalytically active surface area during exploitation in alkali solution in comparison with Ni and Ni78.5Sn21.5 alloy.