Work

Composition-controlled Ni-Mo-P alloy coatings prepared by electroless deposition: Effect of molybdate content on microstructure and hydrogen evolution activity

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Ni-Mo-P alloy coatings were fabricated on copper substrates by electroless deposition from alkaline (pH 9.0) and acidic (pH 4.6) baths containing 0.2-4.0 g L −1 Na 2 MoO 4 . Increasing molybdate concentration reduced the phosphorus content in both baths, while the acidic bath yielded lower P and Mo incorporation. The best HER performance was obtained for MH0.4, deposited from the alkaline bath containing 0.4 g L −1 Na 2 MoO 4 . In 1.0 M KOH, MH0.4 required an overpotential of 181 mV at 10 mA cm −2 , compared with 312 mV for Ni-P and 493 mV for pure Ni. MH0.4 exhibited faster HER kinetics and lower charge-transfer resistance. Comparable double-layer capacitances for MH0.4 and Ni-P indicated that the enhanced activity was not solely due to ECSA differences. Stability was confirmed over 100 h at 100 mA cm −2 , 1000 CV cycles, and multi-step chronopotentiometry. These results highlight bath-chemistry control as an effective route to binder-free Ni-Mo-P electrodes for alkaline HER.

Source: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.157923

Authors: Masoud Asgari, Ali Talebi, Mohammad Reza Bafandeh, Ghasem Barati Darband

Institutions: University of Kashan, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Language: English

Topic: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,730