The nano-crystalline tungsten carbide-cobalt-nickel (WC-Co-Ni) composite with meso-porosity was prepared by a spray drying-gas solid reaction. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS and distribution of particle sizes, respectively. The electro-catalytic properties of the WC-Co-Ni composite for the hydrogen evolution reaction in basic solution were investigated using the electrochemical technique of linear sweep voltammetry. The XRD results show that the sample is composed of tungsten carbide, cobalt and nickel. The EDS results show that the ratio of W/C is near 1. SEM images indicate that the morphology of the sample is hollow globe or laminated structure with meso-porosity. The particle diameter of the composite can be well controlled in the range from 3 to 30 µm, and the average diameter (d50) of the monodisperse particle is 10 µm. The electrocatalytic activity of the WC-Co-Ni composite for the hydrogen evolution reaction is higher than that of hollow globe tungsten carbide with mesoporosity in basic solution. The improvement of the electrocatalytic activity of the sample can be attributed to its components and composite structure.

Key words: tungsten carbide, cobalt, nickel, composite, preparation, electrocatalyst