Cathode having high durability and low hydrogen overvoltage and process for the production thereof

A process for producing a cathode having high durability and low hydrogen overvoltage, which comprises applying onto an electrode substrate an electrochemically active alloy comprising Component X selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and a mixture thereof, Component Y selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, magnesium and silicon, Component Z selected from a noble metal and rhenium, and having a composition falling within the range defined by the following points A', B', C', and D' with reference to the diagram of FIG. 4, by depositing particles of said alloy on the electrode substrate by a composite coating method, or forming a uniform layer of said alloy on the electrode substrate by a coating method, a dipping method, a sintering method or an electroplating method:

• A':
• X=59.8 wt. %, Y=40 wt. %, Z=0.2 wt. %
• B':
• X=39.8 wt. %, Y=60 wt. %, Z=0.2 wt. %
• C':
• X=5 wt. %, Y=60 wt. %, Z=35 wt. %
• D':
• X=12 wt. %, Y=40 wt. %, Z=48 wt. %.