Nickel-based cathode materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

A review of around 100 papers related with the hydrogen evolution process by water electrolysis in alkaline
media employing electrodes prepared with some material that contains nickel which are used as cathode in the water
electrolysis is presented. Here are summarized aspects of the topic that are few acquaintances because the primary
source is of difficult access to the general public. During the course of this work important aspects as technology of the
hydrogen, kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction and Ni-based compounds used for the hydrogen evolution, are approached.
After pointing out the results of the different consulted works, the authors try to point out the current tendencies
that are discerned for development of new cathodic materials for water electrolysis and certain contradictions in the
conclusions of different works. This behaviour is only explained by the possible morphological and structural differences
of the same material, due to different ways to obtain or to the different previous treatment carried out to the same material
by different authors before it was used in the process of hydrogen evolution. Finally the tendencies of the present
century in the development of other materials where the Ni is not the fundamental metal are mentioned.