Abstract

Positive and Negative Aspects of Electrode Reactions of Hydrogen Evolution and the Influence of a Constant Magnetic Field

Marek Zielinski

Nowadays, the application of electrode reactions, including those concerning hydrogen evolutions, attracts great attention in industry and in power engineering worldwide. Thus, new ways of increasing the efficiency of electrode processes are of particular interest. One of them may involve a Constant Magnetic Field (CMF). The magnetic field influences both electrons and ionized atoms leading to dynamic effects (e.g. electrolyte movement in the layer adjacent to the electrode resulting from the Lorentz force). Investigations carried out with the CV method (Cyclic Voltammetry) proved that the reaction rate constant of hydrogen production increases under the influence of CMF. Alloys well adsorbing hydrogen such as Co-Mo, Co-W, Co-Mo-W (their composition was selected by the EDX method – Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis) and alloys well absorbing hydrogen such as Co-Pd was obtained. CMF catalyzed the increase of the reaction rate of hydrogen generation, hydrogen probably being the main ecological energy source of the future. This finding was confirmed by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). The influence of CMF on so-called hydrogen corrosion of metals was also established.