Insight into Ni-Based Catalytic Interfaces Empowered by the Magnetic-Induced Heating Effect toward Boosting the...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Magnetic catalysts exhibit enhanced activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under alternating magnetic fields (AMF).
• Distinguishing magnetic-induced heating (MIH) effects from catalyst contributions is challenging due to intertwined heating from catalysts and current collectors.
• This ambiguity hinders the precise understanding and application of MIH effects in catalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method to isolate the MIH effect of catalysts in AMF.
• To design novel magnetic core-shell heterostructures for enhanced OER.
• To demonstrate the dynamic and instantaneous response of catalytic activity to AMF.

Main Methods:

• A revised three-electrode configuration was developed to eliminate magnetothermal interference from current collectors.
• Ni@Ni(OH)2 and Ni@Ni2P core-shell heterostructures were synthesized.
• Electrochemical performance, including OER overpotential and stability, was evaluated under AMF.

Main Results:

• The revised configuration ensured that MIH originated solely from the catalysts.
• Ni@Ni(OH)2 demonstrated robust stability (>10 h) and achieved an OER overpotential of 384 mV at 50 mA cm-2 in a 60 mT AMF.
• This resulted in a 178 mV overpotential reduction, surpassing the effect of an 80 °C temperature increase.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully isolated catalyst MIH effects, enabling accurate assessment of AMF influence on OER.
• The designed Ni@Ni(OH)2 catalyst shows significant potential for efficient OER under AMF, outperforming conventional heating.
• The dynamic and instantaneous catalytic response to AMF fluctuations highlights applications in variable and critical working conditions.