Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) was used as a porous cathode for the production of hydrogen gas from flowing alkaline solution. Polarization curves were measured to evaluate the overall performance of the RVC electrode. By an aid of a mathematical model, the kinetic parameters for HER at different conditions were estimated by fitting the experimental data with the model predictions. Black nickel coatings onto the RVC porous matrix reduced the potential and consequently the electric power needed for water electrolysis. The results showed also that operating the cell at high electrolyte concentrations and/or temperatures decreases the potential required to obtain a certain rate of hydrogen production. Stable current-transient and SEM micrographs Were obtained after operation of the boated electrodes for a relatively long time at high rates of hydrogen evolution. This indicated that black Ni coatings did not flack off the surface after this period. (C) 2003 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.