Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction Performance of NiMoO₄/Carbon Paper Electrocatalysts in Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis by Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet Treatment

Abstract

NiMoO 4 was grown on carbon paper (CP) by a hydrothermal method. A rapid and high-temperature atmosphericpressure plasma jet (APPJ) process was used to generate more oxygen-deficient NiMoO 4 on the CP surface to serve as an electrode material for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). After 60 s of APPJ treatment, the overpotential of the electrode at 100 mA/cm 2 decreased to 790 mV and that at 10 mA/cm 2 decreased to 368 mV. Additionally, the charge transfer resistance decreased from 2.8 to 1.2 Ω, indicating that APPJ treatment effectively reduced the electrode overpotential and impedance. The effect of NiMoO 4 /CP/APPJ-60 s on the anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) system was also tested. At a system temperature of 70 °C and current density of 100 mA/cm 2 , the energy efficiency reached 95.1%, and the specific energy consumption decreased from 4.02 to 3.83 kWh/m 3 . These results demonstrate that the APPJ-treated NiMoO 4 /CP electrode can effectively enhance the OER performance in water electrolysis and improve the energy efficiency of the AEMWE system. This approach shows promise in replacing precious metal electrodes, thereby potentially reducing the cost and providing an environmentally friendly alternative.