Facile electrodeposition of NiCo-TiO2 composite coatings for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

In this work, it was possible to unify two approaches commonly used to improve the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation, such as the use of alloys and composite materials. It was feasible to synthesize NiCo-TiO2 catalysts with different TiO2 loadings. These materials were analyzed by structural and electrochemical methods. The combination of the two synthesis strategies (alloys and composites) allowed to obtain better catalytic properties than those found when each strategy is used separately. Hence, large activation processes of the electrodes were found after aging by chronoamperometry at −1.5 VSCE for 4 h in alkaline solutions, reaching up to a 90% increase in current density of hydrogen generation. The development of these new complex materials opens a new range of combinations increasing the synergy and maximizing the use of material properties.