Modification of Surface Morphology and Surface Properties of Copper-Nickel Alloy by Anodic Treatment in a Deep Eutectic Solvent (Ethaline)

A deep eutectic solvent, ethaline (as a typical representative of new-generation room temperature ionic liquids), was used to anodically treat the surface of copper-nickel alloy (55 wt.% Cu). Anodic treatment in ethaline allows flexibly affecting the patterns of surface morphology: formation of stellated crystallites and surface smoothing (i.e. electropolishing) are observed depending on the applied electrode potential. The measured values of roughness coefficient (Ra) well correlate with the changes in surface morphology. Anodic treatment of Cu-Ni alloy in ethaline contributes to a considerable increase in the electrocatalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction in an alkaline aqueous medium, which can be used to develop new high-efficient and inexpensive electrocatalysts within the framework of the concept of carbon-free hydrogen economy.

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This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (project no. 0121U109551).