Synthèse par voie électrolytique et caractérisation d'alliages NiW. Comportement électrochimique en milieu alcalin concentré

Abstract

The increasing demand for fuel and energy worldwide combined with confirmed limitations of petroleum reserves and the growing awareness and concern about the effects of pollution and global warming resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels have stimulated the desire for a hydrogen-based fuel economy. In contrast to carbon-based fuels, the only byproduct of reacting hydrogen fuel with molecular oxygen is water. Alkaline water electrolysis process among various hydrogen production methods is a promising candidate to produce high quality hydrogen, for a safer and cleaner future. The objective of this work was to develop and characterize efficient and economical materials as catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during alkaline water electrolysis without using precious metallic elements. A slightly modified Watt’s Nickel-plating bath was used to deposit Nickel Tungsten functional films. The electrocatalytic activity and anticorrosion properties of the films studied in 25% KOH and 5 % NaCl respectively have been shown to be dependant of the applied potential, temperature, pH and the electrolyte composition.