Raney alloy coated cathode for chlor-alkali cells

Abstract

An improved cathode with a conductive metal core and a Raney-type catalytic surface predominantly derived from an adherent .[.NiAl 3 .]. .Iadd.Beta Nickel (NiAl 3 ) .Iaddend.crystalline precursory outer portion of the metal core is disclosed. The precursory outer portion preferably has molybdenum added to give a precursor alloy having the formula Ni x Mo 1-x Al 3 where x is within the range of from about .[.5.]. .Iadd.95 .Iaddend.to about 15 weight percent. Also disclosed is a method of producing a low overvoltage cathode. The method includes the steps of taking a Ni-Mo core or substrate having about 5-20 weight percentage of Mo and coating it with aluminum then heat treating to form a Ni-Mo-Al alloy with mostly .[.NiAl 3 .]. .Iadd.a Beta Nickel .Iaddend.structure and then leaching out the Al to produce a Raney surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved low overvoltage electrode for use as a hydrogen evolution cathode in an electrolytic cell, the electrode being of the type that has a Raney metal surface layer in electrical contact with a conductive metal core, wherein the improvement comprises: said Raney metal surface layer is predominantly derived from .Iadd.an .Iaddend.adherent .Iadd.predominantly beta phase .Iaddend.Ni x  Mo 1-x  Al 3  crystalline precursory surface layer structure, where x is no more than 0.95. 
     
     
       2. The electrode of claim 1 wherein x is within the range of from about 0.80 to about 0.95. 
     
     
       3. The electrode of claim 2 wherein the thickness of said Raney metal surface is less than about 7.5×10 -5  meters (i.e., 75 microns or 3 mils).