Rhodium-decorated nanoconical nickel electrode synthesis and characterization as an electrochemical active cathodic material for hydrogen production

Noble metals in form of bulk materials are rarely used as catalysts in industrial applications due to their price and limited accessibility. However, the surface of commonly-used materials can be modified with an exceptionally low amount of platinoids to enhance their electrochemical activity. In this work, the surface of the free-standing nanoconical Ni structures was modified with a thin metallic rhodium layer with a spontaneous galvanic displacement process. It emerged that Rh-decorated Ni nanoconical electrodes exhibited higher catalytic activity in a model hydrogen evolution reaction in an alkaline environment in comparison to the unmodified electrode. Furthermore, the proposed synthesis protocol is high-speed and straightforward, making it promising in application on a semi and industrial scale. Linear Sweep Voltammetry measurements were used to test the catalytic activity in 1 M NaOH electrolyte. The nanoconical structures were highly-hydrophobic, what has been observed by dedicated camera-based equipment. In addition, the electrochemically-active surface area (ECSA) of tested electrodes were estimated and confirmed in atomic force microscope AFM measurements. The durability of coatings was tasted in 1 M NaOH for 14 days.