Electrocatalytic properties of Ni-S-Co coating electrode for hydrogen evolution in alkaline medium

Amorphous Ni-S-Co alloy was prepared by means of chemical electro-deposition method on the foam nickel matrix. The surface morphology and microstructure of Ni-S-Co coatings were studied using SEM and XRD, and the electrochemical properties were tested by electrochemical methods. The results show that the coating has amorphous structure and the particles of the surface are fine with large specific surface area. The Ni-S-Co alloy is more active with lower potential for hydrogen evolution, higher exchange current density and lower activation energy compared with Ni and Ni-S electrode. Its hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) is enhanced, the size of particles of surface decreases and the surface area increases after being activated by KOH alkaline solution.