A single-step approach to create nano-pottery structures for efficient water electrocatalysis

Abstract

We have introduced a simple fabrication process to create Ni nano-pottery structure using a well-controlled electrodeposition process into a nanoporous alumina template. The nanostructures were then applied as a stable and effective cathode catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline water electrolysis. Their catalytic activity was compared to that of the Ni nano-rod and film and the result shows that the HER activity was greatly enhanced when using the Ni nano-pottery structure which mainly resulted from both larger and higher numbers of surface reactive sites. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.