Rapidly solidified Fe-base alloys as electrode materials for water electrolysis

Amorphous ribbons of the systems Fe60Co20Si10B10 and Fe50Co20V10Si10B10 have been prepared via melt spinning to be used as electrode materials in alkaline water electrolysis. It turned out that the gas atmosphere during melt-spinning has a significant impact on the surface morphology and microstructure of the ribbons. Furthermore, a comprehensive characterization of the microstructure depending on the peripheral speeds of the cooling wheel was conducted. Moreover, the transition from the amorphous to the crystalline state was investigated via differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Preliminary electrochemical investigations suggest a noticeable improvement of the electrocatalytic activity of the melt-spun amorphous ribbons after an anodic–cathodic pretreatment.