Abstract An improved cathode with a conductive metal core and a Raney-type catalytic surface predominantly derived from an adherent NiAl 3 crystalline precursory outer portion of the metal core is disclosed. The precursory outer portion preferably has molybdenum added to give a precursor alloy having the formula Ni x Mo 1-x Al 3 where x is within the range of from about 5 to about 15 weight percent. Also disclosed is a method of producing a low overvoltage cathode. The method includes the steps of taking a Ni-Mo core or substrate having about 5-20 weight percentage of Mo and coating it with aluminum then heat treating to form a Ni-Mo-Al alloy with mostly NaAl 3 structure and then leaching out the Al to produce a Raney surface.
An improved low overvoltage electrode for use as a hydrogen evolution cathode in an electrolytic cell, the electrode being of the type that has a Raney metal surface layer in electrical contact with a conductive metal core, wherein the improvement comprises: said Raney metal surface layer is predominantly derived from adherent Ni x Mo 1-x Al 3 crystalline precursory surface layer structure, where x is no more than 0.95.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An improved low overvoltage electrode for use as a hydrogen evolution cathode in an electrolytic cell, the electrode being of the type that has a Raney metal surface layer in electrical contact with a conductive metal core, wherein the improvement comprises: said Raney metal surface layer is predominantly derived from adherent Ni x Mo 1-x Al 3 crystalline precursory surface layer structure, where x is no more than 0.95.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein x is within the range of from about 0.80 to about 0.95.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrode of claim 2 wherein the thickness of said Raney metal surface is less than about 7.5×10 -5 meters (i.e., 75 microns or 3 mils).