Nickel nanocones as efficient and stable catalyst for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction

In this work, nickel nanocones (NNCs) were fabricated by single-step electrodeposition method. The NNCs were used as hydrogen evolution electrode and their electrocatalytic activity was compared with pure nickel film. Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV), Tafel polarization, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and chronopotentiometry in 1 M KOH were used for study of the electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The active surface area was increased by formation of NNCs and hence, the electrocatalytic activity of nickel electrode was improved. Results indicate that the current density corresponding to the amount of evolved hydrogen of NNCs is five times more than pure nickel film formed in the Watts bath. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.