Charge storage and the oxygen evolution reaction in mixed Ni-Li oxides

Electronic and catalytic properties of mixed oxides of Ni-Li are studied at room temperature with NMR and with electrochemical techniques in alkaline solutions. Our Li(x)Ni(1-x)O (0.04 < or = x < or = 0.2) samples have an f.c.c crystal structure, are in an anti-ferromagnetic phase, and exhibit a substantial conductivity due to a hole-hopping process with a characteristic rate which is essentially independent of composition. Several processes of reduction and oxidation occur in the voltage region between the hydrogen (HER) and oxygen evolution (OER) reactions, which are compared with related phenomena observed in pure Ni electrodes (Ni(OH)2 and NiO). Repeated cycles of reduction and oxidation yield electrodes with a somewhat improved OER activity, and a high charge-storage capacity. Heavy anodic treatments cause irreversible changes of these properties, particularly when coupled with months-long storage in air. The complex behavior of these electrodes is interpreted in terms of formation of a topotactic surface layer with hydrogenated species.