Ultrashort-pulse laser structured titanium surfaces with sputter-coated platinum catalyst as hydrogen evolution electrodes for alkaline water electrolysis. (12th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gabler, Andreas; Müller, Christian I.; Rauscher, Thomas; Gimpel, Thomas; Hahn, Robert; Köhring, Michael; Kieback, Bernd; Röntzsch, Lars; Schade, Wolfgang
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 15(2018)
• Page Start: 7216
• Page End: 7226
• Publication Date: 2018-04-12
• Subjects: Laser structured titanium -- Alkaline water electrolysis -- Cathode -- Hydrogen evolution reaction -- Superhydrophilic/superwetting behavior; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.02.130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: For the first time, we report on micro- and nanostructured Ti surfaces produced by ultrashort-pulse laser processing followed by sputter deposition of Pt aiming at efficient cathode electrodes for alkaline water electrolysis. We studied the laser processing-induced surface morphology, the elemental composition of the surface, the specific surface increase, the wetting behavior as well as the activity of the hydrogen evolution reaction. It is demonstrated that ultrashort-pulse laser structuring in combination with thin layer catalyst deposition can dramatically boost the performance of cathodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction due to the enormous increase in specific surface in combination with superhydrophilic and superwetting properties leading to a rapid gas bubble detachment. Highlights: The specific surface increase of laser structured Ti electrodes was examined. Laser structured Ti electrodes with Pt coatings lead to a dramatically reduced HER overpotential. Laser structured Ti electrodes with Pt coatings are superhydrophobic/superwetting.