Nickel confined in 2D earth-abundant oxide layers for highly efficient and durable oxygen evolution catalysts. Issue 26 (29th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pu, Yayun; Lawrence, Matthew J.; Celorrio, Veronica; Wang, Qi; Gu, Meng; Sun, Zongzhao; Jácome, Leonardo Agudo; Russell, Andrea E.; Huang, Limin; Rodriguez, Paramaconi
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 26(2020)
• Page Start: 13340
• Page End: 13350
• Publication Date: 2020-06-29
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ta04031b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Low cost, high-efficiency catalysts towards water splitting are urgently required to fulfil the increasing demand for energy. Abstract : Low cost, high-efficiency catalysts towards water splitting are urgently required to fulfil the increasing demand for energy. In this work, low-loading (<20 wt%) Ni-confined in layered metal oxide anode catalysts (birnessite and lepidocrocite titanate) have been synthesized by facile ion exchange methodology and subjected to systematic electrochemical studies. It was found that Ni-intercalated on K-rich birnessite (Ni-KMO) presents an onset overpotential ( η onset ) as low as 100 mV and overpotential at 10 mA cm −2 ( η 10 ) of 206 mV in pH = 14 electrolyte. By combining electrochemical methods and X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies (XAS and XES), we demonstrate Ni sites are the active sites for OER catalysis and that the Mn 3+ sites facilitate Ni intercalation during the ion-exchange process, but display no observable contribution towards OER activity. The effect of the pH and the nature of the supporting electrolyte on the electrochemical performance was also evaluated.