Fabrication Of Nickel Nanopillar-Array Electrodes For Water Electrolysis

Nickel nanopillar-array electrodes for alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) were fabricated by electroplating nickel inside the pores of barrier-free anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, which were developed by over-anodizing aluminum film on a graphic conductive layer, followed by chemical dissolution. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies of the nanopillars were scanned under an electron microscope, showing both a 100% filling of Ni nanopillars inside the pores and a good adhesion of nanopillars to the underlying conducting layer. Using the developed template, the roots of the nanopillars have diameters larger than their bodies and the inter-pillar spacing is controllable. The linear sweep voltammery demonstrates that the threshold voltage and production efficiency of AWE have been significantly improved by the nanopillar-array electrode. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.