A review on electrodeposited metallic Ni-based alloy nanostructure for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction

The design and fabrication of active and stable nanostructured electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from the electrochemical water splitting is one of the most important strategies for economical hydrogen production and replacement fossil fuels. Using of Ni-based nanostructured alloy electrodes, synthesized via electrodeposition method, due to having a high active surface area, being binder-free, and also the synergistic effect between the alloy elements, can significantly reduce the energy consumption during hydrogen production. Due to the importance of alloy electrodes and the lack of a comprehensive review in this field, in this review article, at first, the advantages and brief mechanism of the electrodeposition method for the synthesis of nanostructured electrodes are given, and then the types of alloy systems and the resulting morphologies are reviewed. Finally, recent developments in the field of alloy systems for hydrogen production are summarized. Moreover, various methods of creating different alloy nanostructures with electrodeposition method are also described in this article. The purpose of this article is to create a deep understanding of the application of alloy nanostructures and to provide a guide for the synthesis of active and stable electrodes for hydrogen production. In addition, using this review paper, one can able to select appropriate alloy system for reaching the best electrocatalytic properties.