Fabrication of Ni nanoparticles on ordered mesoporous carbon using an immersion-electrodeposition method

Ni nanoparticles have been fabricated on the surface of CMK-3 mesoporous carbon through an immersion-electrodeposition (IE) technique. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that it was a facile approach to electrochemically prepare nano-sized Ni clusters. The electrocatalytic properties of Ni/CMK-3 nanocomposites electrode for hydrogen evolution reaction have been investigated by liner scanning voltammetry in alkaline solution, and high electrocatalytic activity was observed. Therefore, for the first time, we report this IE method as a new route to prepare metal/CMK-3 nanocomposites which have potential applications in the catalytic field. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.