Modification of porous nickel electrodes with silver nanoparticles for hydrogen production

Silver nanoparticles were electrodeposited into the surface of a macroporous Ni electrode. The developed electrodes were characterized morphologically by confocal laser scanning microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The activity of the developed electrodes towards the hydrogen evolution reaction was assessed by pseudo-steady-state polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in alkaline solutions at different temperatures. The incorporation of the silver nanoparticles on the surface of the electrode improved the catalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction due to an improvement in the electrochemically active surface area rather than in the intrinsic catalytic activity.