Thermodynamic aspects of hydrogen electrosorption into Pd–Rh alloys

Tuning hydrogen sorption properties of Pd by its alloying with Ru, Rh, and Pt: the study of binary alloys in concentrated alkaline media

The hydrogen electrosorption process was examined in 6 M KOH on Pd binary alloys, containing Rh, Ru, and Pt. Pd-alloys were electrochemically deposited on Au substrate. The electrodes were subjected to activation procedure—hydrogen pretreatment procedure (HPP) at first in 0.5 M H2SO4 and then in 6 M KOH. It was noticed that it was possible to achieve comparable reversibility of hydrogen electrosorption process in acid and in concentrated base. The obtained values of the α→β phase transition potential, hysteresis extent, and maximum hydrogen absorption capacity show good agreement with the data from acidic medium. The observed kinetics of hydrogen electrosorption were strongly hindered in concentrated alkaline media, whereas the influence of the electrolyte on the thermodynamic functions of hydrogen absorption is less pronounced.