Study of the Kinetics of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Nickel‐Zinc Alloy Electrodes

The mechanism and kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction were studied in on nickel‐zinc alloy electrodes prepared by electrodeposition at controlled potential. A series of electrodes containing 70 to 28% Ni was prepared. Before the measurements, zinc was leached in alkaline solution. Using the ac impedance technique, it was found that the reaction proceeds via the Volmer‐Heyrovsky mechanism, and the kinetic parameters of the process were determined. With a decrease in the nickel content, the electrode becomes more active, and an increase in the real surface area is observed. The surface morphology was studied using SEM and optical microscopy.