DETERMINATION OF ELECTROCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF NICKEL WHISKER ELECTRODES

An investigation of the effects of extremely small grained nickel electrodes on the rate of electrochemical hydrogen production was conducted. More specifically, the comparative evaluations of the electrocatalytic properties of conventional nickel 200 plate electrodes and nickel whisker electrodes for hydrogen evolution in alkaline solutions were performed. It is found that surface morphology of these whiskers is complex and is the result of their production by the chemical vapor deposition of nickel tetracarbonyl gas, Ni(CO)//4. To separate the effects of this more complex surface condition from microstructural considerations such as grain boundaries, other types of defects, and possible impurity associated phases, it was necessary to expose the internal metal of these whiskers and use it as an electrode.