RF Sputtering of Ni Coating on TiO2 Nanopowder for Improved Water Electrolysis Applications

Water electrolysis technology is rapidly evolving in the pursuit of transitioning toward renewable and green hydrogen energy systems. Nickel (Ni) has garnered significant attention as a promising non-platinum group catalyst owing to its excellent catalytic activity, durability, and high stability. In this study, we have successfully demonstrated that RF sputtering can be a promising dry technique for developing innovative catalysts based on abundant elements with a notable reduction of Ni loading. The characterizations confirmed the preparation of high-purity electrocatalyst materials. The introduction of mechanical vibrations during the sputtering process significantly improved the uniformity of the Ni coating on the TiO2 nanopowder surface and exhibited the higher electrocatalytic activity. These findings highlight the potential of the RF sputtering technique, combined with a vibrating system, as a valuable tool for preparing more efficient and cost-effective catalyst nanopowders for water electrolysis technologies.