The effect of surface modification by reduced graphene oxide on the electrocatalytic activity of nickel towards the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

To find cheap, efficient and durable hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts is one of the major challenges when developing an alkaline water electrolysis system. In this paper we describe an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-modified Ni electrode, which could be used as a pre-eminent candidate for such a system. The experimentally determined characteristics of this electrode showing superior electrocatalytic activity were complemented by density functional theory calculations. Thermodynamic considerations led to the conclusion that H atoms, formed upon H2O discharge on Ni, spill onto the RGO, which serves as an H adatom acceptor, enabling continuous cleaning of Ni-active sites and an alternative pathway for H2 production. This mode of action is rendered by the unique reactivity of RGO, which arises due to the presence of O surface groups within the graphene structure. The significant electrocatalytic activity and life time (>35 days) of the RGO towards the HER under conditions of alkaline water electrolysis are demonstrated.

Interaction processes of ciprofloxacin with graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide in the presence of montmorillonite in simulated gastrointestinal fluids

“…The O content of GO (43.41%) was higher than that of rGO, indicating that oxygen breaks up the delocalized π band structure of GO 21 . The XRD pattern shows that Mont contains Si, Na, Al, and Mg (Fig.…”

The effect of cobalt complex on the activity of the nickel electrode

“…Ramazan Solmaz et al [13] prepared PtRu-modified Cu/Ni/NiZn electrodes as cathode materials for alkaline water electrolysis by electrodeposition. Debabrata Chanda et al [14] deposited reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on the surface of the Ni electrode electrophoretically, investigating the effect of surface modification on the hydrogen evolution reaction for alkaline water electrolysis.…”

Zn−Co−S Colloidal Nanocrystal Clusters as Efficient and Durable Bifunctional Electrocatalysts For Full Water Splitting

“…With the rapid depletion of the fossil fuels and environmental issue, the search of a clean and renewable resource has attracted great attention . As an ideal green energy carrier for fossil fuel, hydrogen energy possesses superior advantages of low‐cost, clean and sustainable . Therefore, a well‐established effective technology, water electrolysis is used to yield clean hydrogen energy .…”

“…Several strategies have been explored to overcome these disadvantages, such as loading catalyst on some bases (graphene, carbon tube, etc. ), or building hollow and porous nanostructures by template method . For instance, Wang developed a two‐step method (hydrothermal and nitridation reaction) to prepare nanoparticle‐stacked porous Co 3 FeN x (NSP‐Co 3 FeN x ) nanowires for the full water splitting; the obtained nanoparticles‐stacked porous nanowires could expose more active sites in favor of electrocatalytic reactions, and shows excellent electrocatalytic activities for both OER and HER.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] As an ideal green energy carrier for fossil fuel, hydrogen energy possesses superior advantages of low-cost, clean and sustainable. [7][8][9] Therefore, a well-established effective technology, water electrolysis is used to yield clean hydrogen energy. [10] However, the practical hydrogen evolution activity is limited because of the sluggish reaction kinetics of both HER and OER, which require high overpotentials and show low efficiency.…”