The sonochemical synthesis and characterization of Cu_1−xNi_xWO₄ nanoparticles/nanorods and their application in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Cu_1−xNi_xWO₄ (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) nanoparticles/nanorods have been prepared by a novel sonochemical method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the structure directing agent. The prepared materials have been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and BET specific surface area. The electrocatalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has been studied for the Ni²⁺-substituted CuWO₄ nanoparticles by using linear sweep voltammogram measurements in a 1 M H₂SO₄ solution. Cu_0.4Ni_0.6WO₄ (−473 mA cm⁻² at −1 V) shows a better catalytic activity than native CuWO₄ (−300 mA cm⁻² at −1 V).