Local atomic structure and catalytic activities in electrodeposited Mo-Ni alloys

The atomic structures of Mo-Ni alloys electrodeposited from aqueous solutions containing various molybdenum and nickel concentrations were studied by X-ray diffraction. The films are arranged with respect to molybdenum concentrations in the films. That is, the Group I (Mo < 10%), the Group II (20% < Mo < 30%) and the Group III (Mo ≈ 40%). In the Group I, the structures of the films are fcc crystals of nickel solid solutions. The films in the Groupes II and III are amorphous. The hydrogen evolution as an electrode in alkaline water electric cell was also compared. At about 20% molybdenum, the nickel film shows the maximum hydrogen evolution.