Influence of the Applied External Magnetic Field on the Deposition of Ni-Cu Alloys

Ni-Cu alloys are suitable candidates as catalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction. Because of the different magnetic properties of Ni and Cu, the influence of an applied external magnetic field on the synthesis Ni-Cu alloys was studied. The coatings were prepared with visible changes in their appearance. The differences between the observed regions were studied in terms of morphology and chemical composition. In addition, the overall chemical and phase compositions were determined using X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction methods, respectively. The catalytic activity was measured in 1 M NaOH using linear sweep voltammetry. The contact angle was determined using contour analysis. All samples were hydrophilic. Hydrogen evolution started at different times depending on the area on the surface. It started earliest on the coating obtained in parallel to the electrode magnetic field at 250 mT. We found that when the Lorenz force is maximal, Cu deposition is preferred because of the enhancement of mass transport.