Electrodeposition and characterization of Fe–Mo alloys as cathodes for hydrogen evolution in the process of chlorate production

Abstract

Fe–Mo alloys were electrodeposited from a pyrophosphate bath using a single diode rectified AC current. Their composition and morphology were investigated by SEM, optical microscopy and EDS, in order to determine the influence of the deposition conditions on the morphology and composition of these alloys. It was shown that the electrodeposition parameters, such as chemical bath composition and current density, influenced both the composition of the Fe–Mo alloys and the current efficiency for their deposition, while the micro and macro-morphology did not change significantly with changing conditions of alloy electrodeposition. It was found that the electrodeposited Fe–Mo alloys possessed a 0.15 V to 0.30 V lower overvoltage than mild steel for hydrogen evolution in an electrolyte commonly used in commercial chlorate production, depending on the alloy composition, i.e., the conditions of alloy electrodeposition.

Keywords

• fe–mo alloy
• electrodeposition
• morphology
• catalitic activity