The development of technology to produce low-cost, large amounts of hydrogen has not been matured yet. So the research and development of the electrode for alkaline water electrolysis were important. The aim of this study is the development of the cathode with high catalytic activities and high corrosion resistance by use of electroplating process. We have already reported the performance of electrodeposited Ni-P, Ni-W-S or Ni-W-P electrode for alkaline water electrolysis. In this report we have finally found the best electrodeposited cathode, Fe-Ni-W. The characteristics for alkaline water electrolysis have been tried by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), etc.
Alloy plating has been accomplished using electrochemical measurement system. The bath for electroplating consist of FeSO₄, NiSO₄, Na₂WO₄, H₃BO₃, H₃Cit, Na₃Cit. The substrate for plating (working electrode) was stainless steel substrate (SUS430). Before plating the substrate was washed with water and finished with nickel strike coating. Electrodeposition was performed by constant current electrolysis.
The performance as the cathode for alkaline water electrolysis was confirmed by LSV by use of saturated saturated calomel electrode (SCE) as reference electrode, Nickel electrode as counter electrode. Test solution was 30 wt % KOH aqueous solutions.
Log Exchange current density for hydrogen evolution reaction and hydrogen overvoltage obtained for thus prepared Fe-Ni-W electrode superior to those for Ni-P, Ni-W-S or Ni-W-P. The value is comparable to that for platinum electrode for acidic water electrolysis.