Effect of Ni-Al Precursor Alloy on the Catalytic Activity for a Raney-Ni Cathode

Abstract

The catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction was investigated in 1 M NaOH at 303 K. The hydrogen overpotentials of Raney-Ni electrodes obtained from NiAl 3 and Ni 2 Al 3 were lower than those from nickel rich alloys (NiAl and Ni 3 Al). Especially, NiAl 3 yielded the most active Raney-Ni cathode. This is because the fast aluminum leaching from NiAl 3 phase gives large surface area of the electrode, the formation of small micropores, and the appearance of the Ni phase.

Prospects for alkaline zero gap water electrolysers for hydrogen production

“…The Tafel slope also decreased from 120 mV on smooth Ni to 40 mV on Raney Ni; the mechanism is changing to one where adsorbed hydrogen is an intermediate. Tanaka et al [63] have reported the influence of the Ni:Al ratio in the Raney Ni and find the lowest overpotential for H 2 evolution when there is a high Al content. Raney Ni electrodes are not stable to current reversal on taking a cell off load but Yoshida and Morimoto [64] have proposed a more complex structure where both a Raney Ni alloy powder and a H 2 absorbing alloy powder were occluded into an electroplated Ni layer.…”

Catalytic activity of atomized Ni3Al powder for hydrogen generation by methane steam reforming

“…In contrast, NiAl and Ni 3 Al are not used as precursors. It has been thought to be difficult to effectively leach aluminum from them due to their low aluminum concentration, and thus a high catalytic activity has not been expected [7]. Both compounds are well known as excellent high-temperature structural materials with a high-temperature strength and good corrosion/oxidation resistance [8,9].…”

Catalytic Properties of Ni₃Al Intermetallics for Methanol Decomposition

“…For NiAl and Ni 3 Al, very limited studies have been carried out on the catalytic properties. Probably it has been thought difficult to effectively leach aluminum from them because of their low aluminum concentration, 6) and thus high catalytic activity has not been expected, particularly for Ni 3 Al. Until now, Ni 3 Al is known as promising high-temperature structural materials because of its excellent high temperature strength and corrosion/oxidation resistance and thus many studies have been focused on the mechanical properties and the microstructures.…”