NiMo-C Coatings Synthesized by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering for Application as a Catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in an Acidic Environment.

This study examines the structure and properties of NiMo-C coatings synthesized via reactive magnetron sputtering of a NiMo alloy target in an argon/acetylene atmosphere. The coating structure evolves with carbon content from nanocrystalline, through amorphous to quasi-amorphous with a nanocolumnar structure. The nanostructure consists of metallic columns perpendicular to the substrate surrounded by an amorphous carbon shell.