Synthesis of nickel-based skeletal catalyst for an alkaline electrolyzer

A method for preparing Nickel-based skeletal catalyst as well as its characterization is reported. The catalyst has an intended use as a cathode in alkaline electrolysis. Skeletal catalyst electrodes were synthesized from equal weights (50% each) of aluminum and nickel powders. The catalyst was prepared with metal powders which were melted in an induction oven, allowing the alloy to solidify at room temperature to obtain the thermodynamically-stable phases of the alloy. Samples from the resulting alloy went through a leaching process in an alkaline solution using two different leaching times. After leaching, porous and amorphous electrodes were obtained and then subjected to a slow oxidative stage to avoid ignition. The structure, composition, morphology and electrochemical characteristics of the electrodes were studied. The leached samples showed a high exchange current density indicating that are good catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER), a property enhanced by the adsorption of hydrogen during the leaching process which facilitated the hydrogen reduction overall reaction.