Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: A Rapid, Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis Of Nickel Hydroxide Nanosheets
Published on: August 18, 2023
Alpha-Nickel Hydroxide Coating of Metallic Nickel for Enhanced Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution
Song Xue1, Yunchang Liang2,3, Shujin Hou4
1Qingdao Key Laboratory of Functional Membrane Material and Membrane Technology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, P. R. China.
Abstract:
In this work, alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) processes of three typical nickel-based electrocatalysts [i. e., Ni, α-Ni(OH)2 , and β-Ni(OH)2 ] were investigated to probe critical factors that determine the activity and durability. The HER activity trend was observed as Ni≫α-Ni(OH)2 >β-Ni(OH)2 , likely attributed to a synergy between metallic Ni and Ni(OH)2 components on the Ni surface and fast water dissociation kinetics on the α-Ni(OH)2 surface. With the HER proceeding, the metallic Ni surface, however, gradually became α-Ni(OH)2 , and α-Ni(OH)2 surface ultimately transformed into β-phase, leading to a dramatic activity decrease of Ni electrodes. Therefore, Ni electrodes were coated with α-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets to slow down the nickel hydroxylation and optimize the surface ratio of Ni(OH)2 to metallic Ni. This simple coating procedure enhanced both activity and durability of Ni electrocatalysts.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Precipitation Gravimetry
In determining nickel by gravimetric analysis, a precipitant of ethanolic dimethylglyoxime is added to a hot nickel salt solution. This is quickly followed by the dropwise addition of dilute ammonia solution until precipitation occurs. A...
Electrodeposition
Electrodeposition can...
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Catalysis

