Functionalized Embedded Monometallic Nickel Catalysts for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution: Performance and Stability
Abstract
Viable anionic exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis for H2 production requires highly active hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts that are also robust and cost-effective. Traditionally juxtaposition of two transition metals with one being more oxophilic is necessary for easier access to water in the inner Helmholtz plane as a source of protons in the crucial Volmer step for enhanced HER activity. However, they are prone to passivation at anodic potentials or deactivation via the formation of sub-surface metal hydrides at high cathodic overpotentials. Here we report a method of enabling close juxtaposition of Ni-Ni-oxide surfaces by functionalizing Ni-based catalysts via the careful thermal treatment of carbon-supported Ni nano-particles chelated with a select organic chelating compound referred to as cupferron. This functionalization results in an embedded Ni surface with a clear graphitic coating engendering long-term stability for passivation and subsurface hydride formation. The stability and activity of the functionalized Ni catalyst are demonstrated in half-cell RDE and full-cell AEM membrane-based hydrogen pump experiments. In the case of the latter, the functionalized Ni outperforms carbon-supported Pt.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1149/1945-7111/ac11a1
Entities
People
- Andrew Freeman
- Ellie Knecht
- Huong Doan
- Ian Kendrick
- Michael K. Bates
- Qingying Jia
- Remi Blanchard
- Sanjeev Mukerjee
- Tanner Jankins
Organizations
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- United States Department of Energy