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Sonoactivated polycrystalline Ni electrodes for alkaline oxygen evolution reaction
Faranak Foroughi1, Alaa Y Faid2, Svein Sunde2
1Hydrogen Energy and Sonochemistry Research Group, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Electrochemistry Research Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Sciences. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry
|April 28, 2022
Summary
Ultrasonic treatment significantly enhances nickel
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- Cost-effective electrocatalysts are crucial for sustainable energy.
- Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics limit overall water-splitting efficiency.
- Nickel (Ni) is a potential electrocatalyst material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile strategy for activating nickel surfaces for OER.
- To investigate the effect of ultrasound on nickel's OER performance in alkaline media.
Main Methods:
- Nickel surface activation using ultrasound (24 kHz, 44 W, 60% amplitude).
- Electrochemical characterization of sonoactivated and non-sonoactivated Ni for OER.
- Analysis of OER activity, potential, charge transfer resistance, and Tafel slopes.
Main Results:
- Sonoactivated Ni exhibited enhanced OER activity, requiring a lower potential (+1.594 V vs. RHE) at 10 mA cm⁻² compared to non-activated Ni (+1.617 V vs. RHE).
- Charge transfer resistance decreased significantly from 98.5 Ω to 11.1 Ω after sonication.
- Ultrasound treatment did not substantially alter electrochemical surface area or Tafel slopes.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound activation is an effective method to improve nickel-based OER electrocatalysts.
- Enhanced OER activity is attributed to the formation of hydroxyl radicals from cavitation.
- This approach offers a promising route for developing efficient and affordable electrocatalysts for water splitting.
