Low-cost Ni/BaCO₃ composite electrodes via phase transformation for highly efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing efficient and cost-effective electrode materials is crucial for electrochemical energy conversion and storage.
• Nickel-based materials offer potential but often require optimization for enhanced catalytic activity and stability.
• Barium Carbonate (BaCO3) can be integrated to modify material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel, low-cost ordered phase-transformation strategy for constructing porous self-supported Ni/BaCO3 electrodes.
• To investigate the electrochemical performance and durability of these nanorod heterostructure electrodes.
• To compare the performance against commercial platinum catalysts.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an ordered phase-transformation strategy.
• Synthesized porous self-supported Ni/BaCO3 electrodes featuring nanorod heterostructures.
• Tested electrode performance in 1 M KOH solution.
• Evaluated durability over 500 hours.

Main Results:

• Achieved a low overpotential of 36 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2.
• Performance closely approaches that of commercial Platinum/Carbon (Pt/C) catalysts (20 mV).
• Demonstrated excellent durability, maintaining performance for over 500 hours in 1 M KOH.

Conclusions:

• The developed low-cost strategy successfully produces high-performance Ni/BaCO3 electrodes.
• These electrodes exhibit promising catalytic activity and remarkable stability for electrochemical applications.
• The nanorod heterostructure design is effective in enhancing electrode functionality.