Work

Laser‐Structured Nickel Electrodes for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Kinetics in Alkaline Media at Elevated Temperature

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Tailoring the surface morphology of electrocatalysts is one potential opportunity for improving the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media. Direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) emerged as a promising surface engineering technique for enhancing the HER performance of nickel electrocatalysts in alkaline media. In this study, DLIP is employed to fabricate periodic line‐like microstructures on Ni electrodes using a picosecond‐pulsed laser system ( λ = 1064 nm, τ = 70 ps). By varying cumulated laser fluence up to 2.4 kJ cm −2 , a maximum structure depth of 2.35 ± 0.04 μm and interfacial area ratio up to 87% is reached. HER is evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at 22 and 60 °C. The DLIP‐structured electrodes exhibit significantly enhanced HER activity compared with untreated Ni, showing overpotential reductions of up to 28% at 22 °C and 53% at 60 °C, in conjunction with an increase in electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) from 2.24 to 31.04 cm 2 at 22 °C and from 1.95 to 74.84 cm 2 at 60 °C, respectively. These findings highlight the favorable interplay between DLIP‐induced surface modification and thermally enhanced HER kinetics.

Source: Small Science

DOI: 10.1002/smsc.70426

Authors: Mayla Selene Barrientos, Lis Geraldine Zschach, Robert Baumann, Andrés Fabián Lasagni

Institutions: Technische Universität Dresden, Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology

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: gold

Estimated APC paid: $6,350