Additive manufacturing
has been a very promising topic in recent
years for research and development studies and industrial applications.
Its electrochemical applications are very popular due to the cost-effective
rapid production from the environmentally friendly method. In this
study, three-dimensional (3D) printed electrodes are prepared by Ni
and Co coatings in different molar ratios. Different Ni/Co molar ratios
(x:y) of the Ni/Co/x:y alloys are prepared as 1:1, 1:4, and 4:1 and
they are named Ni/Co/1:1, Ni/Co/4:1, and Ni/Co/1:4, respectively.
According to the results, when the 3D electrode samples are coated
with Ni and Co at different molar ratios, the kinetic performance
of the NiCo-coated 3D electrode samples for hydrogen evolution reaction
is enhanced compared to that of the uncoated 3D electrode sample.
The results indicate that the Ni/Co/1:4-coated 3D electrode has the
highest kinetic activity for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs).
The calculated Tafel′s slope and overpotential value (η10) for HER are determined as 164.65 mV/dec and 101.92 mV,
respectively. Moreover, the Ni/Co/1:4-coated 3D electrode has an 81.2%
higher current density than the other electrode. It is observed that
the 3D printing of the electrochemical electrodes is very promising
when they are coated with Ni–Co metals in different ratios.
This study provides a new perspective on the use of 3D printed electrodes
for high-performance water electrolysis.