Highly Active Nickel-Based Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution in Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolysis

Abstract

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis is hampered by two main issues: stability and performance. Focusing on the latter, this work demonstrates a highly active NiMo cathode for hydrogen evolution in AEM electrolysis. We demonstrate an electrolyzer performance of 1 A cm−2 at 1.9 V (total cell voltage) with a NiMo loading of 5 mg cm−2 and an iridium black anode in 1 M KOH at 50 °C, that may be compared to 1.8 V for a similar cell with Pt at the cathode. The catalysts developed here will be significant in supporting the pursuit of cheap and environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel.

Optimized Nickel-Cobalt and Nickel-Iron Oxide Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Water Electrolysis

“…6 AEM technology has the potential of combining the advantage of nonprecious catalysts of the traditional alkaline process, with the benefits of PEMEL such as fast power-up/power-down rates, low parasitic energy losses, and low energy consumption, in other words consolidating the best of both technologies. 7 Electrocatalysts based on transition metal oxide (TMOs) are cheap, environmentally benign, and active OER catalysts in alkaline environments. 8 Development of cheap transition metal-based alkaline HER catalysts will reduce the cost of the electrolysis operation, which is beneficial for overall water splitting application.…”

Highly Active and Easily Fabricated NiCo2O4 Nanoflowers for Enhanced Methanol Oxidation

“…Mixed TMOs render rich redox reactions and improve electronic conductivity, which is beneficial to electrochemical applications . Spinel nickel cobaltite (NiCo 2 O 4 ) has been widely investigated for potential applications in electromagnetic devices, lithium‐ion batteries, water electrolysis, supercapacitors, and sensors due to its abundance, low cost, and environmental friendliness . NiCo 2 O 4 deduced from the incorporation of Ni atoms into Co 3 O 4 , provides better electronic conductivity for rapid electron transfer and availability of catalytically active sites …”

“…Thus, various nanomorphologies such as wires, plates, rods, spheres, and flowers have been reported . Nanoflower morphology is an effective two‐dimensional (2D) structure producing a high surface area, high catalytically active sites, and low electron and ion transport paths resulting in improved catalytic activity …”

“…[10,13] Spinel nickel cobaltite (NiCo 2 O 4 ) has been widely investigated for potential applications in electromagnetic devices, lithium-ion batteries, water electrolysis, supercapacitors, and sensors due to its abundance, low cost, and environmental friendliness. [14,15] NiCo 2 O 4 deduced from the incorporation of Ni atoms into Co 3 O 4 , provides better electronic conductivity for rapid electron transfer and availability of catalytically active sites. [16,17] NiCo 2 O 4 provides a rapid electron transfer from the substituted Ni 2 + to Co 2 + in the spinel lattice thus improve methanol electrooxidation activity.…”

“…[20,21] Nanoflower morphology is an effective two-dimensional (2D) structure producing a high surface area, [22] high catalytically active sites, and low electron and ion transport paths resulting in improved catalytic activity. [23,15] In this study, a facile and efficient synthesis strategy of the hierarchically structured NiCo 2 O 4 nanoflowers is reported. NiCo 2 O 4 nanoflowers were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).…”