Nanostructured Ni coatings on porous alumina: morphology, chemical constitution, and cathodic properties

Nanostructured nickel coatings on a well-developed surface of porous alumina offer improved performance in hydrogen evolution (cathodic) reactions owing to an increased contact area with an electrolyte. Data for the morphology, surface chemical constitution, and cathodic properties of such coatings obtained by magnetron sputtering are presented. It has been shown that the morphology of coatings depends on substrate porosity parameters that are optimal for efficient hydrogen-evolving porous coatings are presented.