Publication

Abstract : Ni-P coating (NPC) fabricated by electroless deposition has been widely accepted as an effective electrode for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction. Among the different strategies reported to improve the catalytic activity of Ni-P electrode (NPE) further, incorporation of inorganic metal oxide composite is a proven method. Herein, we propose a modification of TiO2/TiO2-WO3 core-shell structured composite (a novel entity), by the application of conductive polyaniline (P-Ani), as a continuation of our earlier work on its synthesis and characterization. The as-prepared polymer-metal oxide hybrid nanocomposite is then employed to modify the NPE by electroless deposition method. The improved surface characteristics of the modified NPE, after the incorporation of P-Ani/TiO2/TiO2-WO3 composite with reduced charge transfer resistance and low overpotential for alkaline hydrogen evolution (−65mV at −10mA/cm2) corroborates its enhanced catalytic behavior. The increase in the number of catalytically active sites on the NPE after modification through P-Ani composite is attributed to the enhanced characteristics for alkaline hydrogen evolution. Our strategy proposes a sustainable and low-cost electrode material, competent to the existing industrial electrocatalysts, for long term hydrogen evolution in alkaline medium.