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Achieving the optimal Ni(OH)2 : Pt ratio for enhancing electrocatalytic water-dissociation and H2 delivery in
Roshini Arulraj1, Tumpa Sadhukhan1, Anantharaj Sengeni2
1Theoretical and Computational Materials Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India. tumpas@srmist.edu.in.
Abstract:
Despite the availability of abundant, inexpensive non-noble metal-based anode catalysts for alkaline water electrolysis, the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) continues to be a challenge, even in the case of state-of-the-art Pt catalysts. In such proton-deficient environments, a metal hydroxide-/oxide-based co-catalyst that can help polarize the H-O bond in water has been found to promote proton abstraction and subsequent reduction into H2 on Pt and Ru surfaces. In this regard, the Ni(OH)2 : Pt co-catalyst is one of the best. However, the relationship between the ratio of Ni(OH)2 and Pt and the alkaline HER is not well-understood, although it is essential for further advancements. Herein, we report the results of a systematic study aimed at gradually increasing the Ni(OH)2 : Pt ratio and studying the physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties of the catalyst, which led us to achieve the perfect balance between Ni(OH)2 and Pt. The optimised Ni(OH)2 : Pt-3 catalyst with a Pt to Ni(OH)2 ratio of 3.3 atom% outperformed commercial Pt/C (20 wt%) by requiring only 9 and 50 mV for -10 and -100 mA cm-2, respectively, and exhibited faster kinetics with a very low Tafel slope of 40 mV dec-1, which is an impressive feat in a proton-deficient pH of 14. Thus, this study provides new insights into the role of the ratio of Ni(OH)2 and Pt in alkaline HERs.
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