Improved catalytic activity of Mo_xNi_yAl_z thin films as electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media

Journal Article · 30 August 2023 · International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.08.173 · OSTI ID:2356810

Bodnarova, Renata ^[1]; Latyshev, Vitalii  ^[1]; Vorobiov, Serhii ^[1]; Lisnichuk, Maksym ^[1]; You, Hoydoo ^[2]; Komanicky, Vladimir ^[1]

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1. P. J. Safarik Univ., Kosice (Slovakia)
2. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

In this work, we report activities of Mo_xNi_yX_z (where X is Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, W)-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in a 1 M NaOH solution. Mo_xNi_yX_z thin film electrocatslysts were prepared by magentron sputtering at 25°C and 800°C and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Here, the catalytic activity of electrocatalyst was studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrocatalyst based on Mo₈₀Ni₅Al₁₅(800°C) shows the best value of the overpotential (-181 mV) for HER from all tested ternary systems. XRD analysis indicates that HER activity only Mo₈₀Ni₅Al₁₅ thin films prepared at 800°C contained fcc phase. Other less active composition contained only bcc phase. The results obtained from impedance spectroscopy are consistent with the results from cyclic voltammetry. The stability of the prepared catalyst was studied by chronoamperometric analysis. The results from chronoamperometry show that HER activity of Mo₈₀Ni₅Al₁₅ prepared at 800°C, after very slight initial activity decrease, stays constant, while activity of Ni catalyst decreased almost twice in measured time window. Since Ni is commonly used industrial catalyst, Mo₈₀Ni₅Al₁₅ based alloy could be more attractive catalyst material for alkaline electrolyzers.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Slovak Research and Development Agency (SRDA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 2356810
• Journal Information: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Journal Issue: C Vol. 49; ISSN 0360-3199
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English