Electrodeposition of TiO₂/Ni-P Composite Electrodes for Efficient Water Electrolysis

TiO₂/Ni-P composite electrode has been fabricated through electrodeposition from an optimized Ni-P alloy plating bath loaded with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles, using glycerol as the additive. TiO₂/Ni-P composite coatings were developed on copper rod from optimal bath of Ni-P alloy, and their electrocatalytic behaviors have been studied in alkaline medium (1.0 M KOH). The electrocatalytic behaviors of TiO₂/Ni-P composite electrodes for water splitting reactions of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry techniques. Experimental results revealed that addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles (p < 25 nm) into the bath has significant effect on the electrocatalytic behavior Ni-P alloy deposit. Experimental results demonstrated many fold increase in the electrocatalytic activity of Ni-P alloy coating after the incorporation of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity TiO₂/Ni-P composite coatings were attributed to the TiO₂ nanoparticles intersticed in the deposit matrix of the coating, evidenced by FESEM, EDX and XRD analyses. The experimental results were discussed with possible mechanism, responsible for increased hydrogen evolution due to its reduced overvoltage.