Structure-Dependent HER Activity and Durability on Flat and Macroporous Ni-P Electrocatalysts in Acidic Medium

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Developing sustainable non-noble metal catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for water electrolysis.
• Current non-noble metal catalysts lack sufficient stability, especially in acidic environments, hindering their adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize Ni-P alloy catalysts for efficient and stable hydrogen production.
• To investigate the effects of phosphorus content, heat treatment, and macroporous structures on catalyst performance and durability.

Main Methods:

• Electroless deposition was used to synthesize flat and macroporous Ni-P alloy catalysts.
• Catalytic activity and durability were evaluated for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
• Advanced characterization techniques, including scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy, were employed.

Main Results:

• Optimized Ni-P catalysts (up to 12 wt% P) with heat treatments and macroporous structures exhibited enhanced HER activity, comparable to Pt/C.
• A trade-off between catalytic efficiency and corrosion resistance was observed.
• Heat treatment induced structural changes that influenced catalyst degradation and local galvanic couple formation.

Conclusions:

• Ni-P alloys show potential as efficient HER catalysts in acidic media.
• Understanding structure-property relationships is key to designing durable non-noble metal catalysts.
• Further research is needed to overcome the stability limitations in acidic environments.