Unexpected Resilience of NiFe Catalysts for the Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Year: 2024

Authors: Ciambriello L., Alessandri I., Ferroni M., Gavioli L., Vassalini I.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Interdisciplinary Labs Adv Mat Phys I LAMP, I-25133 Brescia, Italy; Dipartimento Matemat & Fis, Univ Cattolica Sacro Cuore, I-25133 Brescia, Italy; INSTM, UdR Brescia, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; Univ Brescia, Dept Informat Engn DII, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; CNR, INO, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; Univ Studi Brescia, Dept Civil Environm Architectural Engn & Math DICA, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; CNR, IMM Bologna, I-40129 Bologna, Italy.

Abstract: NiFe catalysts have emerged as promising low-cost alternatives to Ir- or Ru-based anodes for water splitting. Despite their potential, their widespread adoption in commercial alkaline electrolyzers is currently hindered by instability and rapid deactivation under real operating conditions. In this study, we investigate the behavior of NiFe (90/10% at.) thin film (similar to 35 nm) electrodes fabricated by supersonic cluster beam deposition as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media during prolonged electrochemical activity. In particular, we observed that an exfoliation process occurred, leading to the detachment and dissolution of most (similar to 99%) of the catalyst nanoparticles (NPs) from the electrode surface into the electrolyte. However, upon multiple potential sweeps, a partial NP redeposition occurred. Importantly, we demonstrate the establishment of an equilibrium between the dissolution and readsorption of catalyst NPs from/to the electrode surface, thereby sustaining significant residual catalytic activity.

Journal/Review: ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS

Volume: 7 (8)      Pages from: 3462  to: 3472

More Information: This work has been partially supported by Fondazione Cariplo through the TESLA project.
KeyWords: OER; NiFe; thinfilm; dissolution/redeposition; stability; self-healing
DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.4c00286

Citations: 1
data from “WEB OF SCIENCE” (of Thomson Reuters) are update at: 2024-10-20
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