Electrochemical and physical characterization of Ni-Cu-Fe alloy for chlor-alkali hydrogen cathodes

Abstract

This work describes the development of an alternative acetate bath for the electrochemical codeposition of Ni-Cu-Fe electrodes at low pH that is stable for several weeks and produces electrodes with good performance for chlor-alkali electrolysis. Physical characterization of the electrode surface was made using X ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis (EDX). The evaluation of the material as electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (her) was carried out in brine solution (160 g L -1 NaCl + 150 g L -1 NaOH) at different temperatures through steady-state polarization curves. The Ni-Cu-Fe electrodes obtained with this bath have shown low overpotentials for the her, around 0.150 V at 353 K, and good stability under continuous long-term operation for 260 hours. One positive aspect of this cathode is that the polarization behavior of the material shows only one Tafel slope over the temperature range of 298 -353 K.

Recent developments in the electrodeposition of nickel and some nickel-based alloys

“…Giz et al [96] described the development of an acetate bath for the electrochemical co-deposition of Ni-Cu-Fe electrodes onto mild steel substrates at low pH. The acetate bath was stable for several weeks and produced electrodes with good performance for chlor-alkali electrolysis.…”

Advanced and Durable Self-Standing MoC-Mo2C Electrode for Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution in Chlor-alkali Electrolysis

“…In addition, low-carbon steel can be easily corroded by both NaCl and electrolytic products of which the service life is seriously reduced. , Ti cathodes have good corrosion resistance, but hydrogen easily penetrates into the interior of the matrix, leading to hydrogen embrittlement and thereby affecting the stability of the Ti cathodes . Nickel-based materials such as RANEY Ni electrodes and Ni alloy cathodes have been widely studied due to their low price and good corrosion resistance. , These electrodes have synergistic effects and increased active surfaces to decrease the HER overpotentials . Nevertheless, the dissolution of electrode components after a long-term operation would cause the degradation of HER activity .…”

“…7 Nickel-based materials such as RANEY Ni electrodes and Ni alloy cathodes have been widely studied due to their low price and good corrosion resistance. 8,9 These electrodes have synergistic effects and increased active surfaces to decrease the HER overpotentials. 10 Nevertheless, the dissolution of electrode components after a long-term operation would cause the degradation of HER activity.…”

Ternary alloy nanocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

“…Although there are several techniques that have been used earlier to fabricate ternary nanostructured alloy particles, such as mechanical alloying [10], electrodeposition [11], melt spinning [12], polyol processes [13] and decomposition of organometallic precursors [14], there are only few reports on the synthesis of Cu-Fe-Ni alloy nanoparticles. For instance, Giz et al [15] have fabricated Ni-Cu-Fe alloy using the electrodeposition method. Mechanical alloying method using high-energy ball mill under argon atmosphere was used to synthesize nanostructured copper-iron-nickel alloy with (Cu 60 Fe 40 ) 70 Ni 30 composition.…”