Hydrogen evolution reaction of low carbon steel electrode in hydrochloric acid as a source for hydrogen production

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (cathodic reaction) of low carbon steel electrode immersed in hydrochloric acid was investigated as a source for hydrogen production. Corrosion rate, hydrogen evolution rate, and current density increase with the increase of HCl concentration. Theoretically and practically, every 1 g of iron produces about 0.036 g of hydrogen. Therefore, the hydrogen production efficiency over the immersion period is about 100%. High correlation coefficient (close to +1) statistically indicates that there is a strong relation between loss in weight and the amount of evolved hydrogen (as dependent variable) and both time of immersion and acid concentrations (as independent variables). Application of the hydrogen produced by low carbon steel electrode has been performed on storage material. The tested material absorbs about 6 wt.% of hydrogen under atmospheric pressure and room temperature.