Microwave-Electrochemical Deposition of a Fe-Co Alloy with Catalytic Ability in Hydrogen Evolution

A novel microwave-electrochemical process is shown to allow Fe-Co alloy to be formed at a stainless steel electrode under fast mass transport − high temperature deposition conditions. In contrast to the Fe-Co alloy formed under ambient conditions, the microwave Fe-Co alloy is produced with a Fe:Co ratio close to unity (mass transport controlled deposition). Unusual properties of the new alloy material include good electrocatalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), showing low onset overpotential (145 mV), high exchange current density (20 mA cm−2) and Tafel parameters close to those for Pt on stainless steel. It is suggested that in future the microwave-electrochemical deposition method can help providing novel sustainable alloy catalyst materials for a wider range of applications.