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Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
Solution-cast metal oxide thin film electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution.
Lena Trotochaud1, James K Ranney, Kerisha N Williams
1Department of Chemistry and the Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|September 21, 2012
Summary
We developed thin-film metal oxide catalysts for water oxidation, a key step in producing hydrogen fuel. Nickel-iron oxide films showed the highest activity, outperforming iridium oxide and offering a promising route for clean energy technologies.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Water oxidation is essential for hydrogen fuel production via water splitting.
- Developing efficient electrocatalysts is crucial for advancing water splitting technologies.
- Thin-film electrodes offer advantages for studying and applying electrocatalytic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize various thin-film metal oxides for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis.
- To evaluate the OER activity and electrochemical properties of these films in basic media.
- To understand the structure-activity relationships governing water oxidation catalysis.
Main Methods:
- Solution synthesis of ~2-3 nm thick metal oxide films (NiOx, CoOx, Ni(y)Co(1-y)Ox, Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)Ox, IrOx, MnOx, FeOx).
- Characterization of film structure and composition.
- Electrochemical measurements including quartz crystal microgravimetry, voltammetry, and Tafel analysis.
Main Results:
- Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)Ox films exhibited the highest OER activity, reaching 10 mA cm(-2) at 336 mV overpotential with a 30 mV dec(-1) Tafel slope.
- The Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)Ox catalyst showed activity an order of magnitude higher than IrOx and comparable to state-of-the-art OER catalysts.
- In situ formation of active layered Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)OOH oxyhydroxide species was observed, with high electrochemical utilization of Ni atoms.
- Ni(y)Co(1-y)Ox films showed decreased activity with increasing cobalt content, contrary to synergistic expectations, due to suppressed active oxyhydroxide formation.
Conclusions:
- Ni(0.9)Fe(0.1)Ox thin films are highly active and efficient electrocatalysts for water oxidation in basic media.
- The enhanced performance is linked to the in situ formation of a specific layered oxyhydroxide structure.
- These Ni-based catalysts offer a promising, easily synthesized material for integration into solar water splitting or electrolysis systems.
