Hydropower-Assisted Alkaline Electrolysis with NiCo-Modified Electrodes Produced by Additive Manufacturing for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

In this study, micro hydropower assisted alkaline electrolysis system was investigated to meet small-scale energy needs in rural areas. One of the noteworthy aspects of the study is the modification of metal electrodes produced by additive manufacturing with high HER activity metals such as Ni and Co. Additive manufacturing offers benefits in terms of creating complex geometries, reducing material waste, and enabling rapid prototyping. The NiCo modification created through the galvanostatic method provides advantages in enhancing the electrochemical activity and stability of the electrodes, particularly regarding HER activity. The electrochemical activity of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 1 M KOH was investigated using linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis. Surface characterization was achieved through scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-Ray diffraction analysis. The water wettability characteristics of electrode surfaces were examined using contact angle measurements. The 3Dm NiCo electrode demonstrated higher catalytic performance, with a contact angle of 61 degrees compared to 92 degrees for 3Db, indicating improved wettability. XRD investigation revealed NiCo crystalline phases. At 3 V, compared to the unmodified 3Db electrode, the 3Dm NiCo electrode demonstrated a similar to 64% increase in hydrogen production (46.8 mL vs. 28.5 mL), confirming its enhanced HER performance. Long-term catalyst stability was determined over 180,000 s.