Teaching Heterogeneous Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation with Nickel- and Cobalt-Based Catalysts Using Cyclic Voltammetry and Python Simulation

Abstract

An integrated inorganic chemistry laboratory experience focusing on heterogeneous electrocatalysis with nickel (Ni)-and cobalt (Co)-based electrocatalysts is designed for upper-division, major-level chemistry students. In this laboratory, students will be guided through the fabrication of an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass working electrode, electrodeposition of the nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH) 2 ) and cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH) 2 ) electrocatalysts on the ITO working electrodes, and the electrochemical characterization of the electrocatalysts. Students will investigate the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with electrocatalysts Ni(OH) 2 and Co(OH) 2 in an alkaline electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) is the major experimental technique students will apply to measure the performances of different electrocatalysts on the OER activities. Additionally, a Python-based simulation of the cyclic voltammograms will be applied to help students gain more insights about the interpretation of the cyclic voltammograms of reversible one-electron redox reactions.

Exploring Electrochemistry: A Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on a Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode Modified with Prussian Blue

“…Building upon the previous part of the experiment, students proceeded to electrodeposit Prussian blue on the working electrode. The electrodeposited thin film exhibits unique electrochemical properties that were used to demonstrate thin-layer cell voltammetry. ,, This important concept is relevant to many important real-life applications, such as microelectronic devices, but rarely demonstrated in an undergraduate laboratory. Students began at a potential of +1.1 V. As they swept the potential negative, they observed a small cathodic wave generated at about +0.4 V, indicating the reduction of Fe 3+ (aq) (black arrow Figure C; black trace is the first scan).…”

Indirect Amperometric Detection of Glucose in Simulated Urine Using Screen-Printed Electrodes

“…While most universities are well-equipped with spectroscopic and chromatographic instruments, far fewer have prioritized acquiring modern electroanalytical instrumentation. As a result, the students taking general, analytical, and biochemistry classes have little exposure to experimental electrochemistry. − …”

An Improved Potentiostat/Galvanostat for Undergraduate-Designed Electrochemical Laboratories

“…Moreover, electrochemical experiments are performed in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions, are operationally simple, and reinforce wet laboratory skills introduced during General Chemistry. Electrochemical devices are ubiquitous in daily life (e.g., lithium-ion batteries), and the development of the next generation of electrochemical energy storage devices (e.g., fuel cells, next-generation batteries, supercapacitors) is critical for the implementation of a green energy economy and provides a link between General Chemistry curricula and the broader society. − Despite these virtues, the implementation of lab modules based on electrochemical methods is hindered by the prohibitively high cost of commercially available instrumentation. While research-grade potentiostats and galvanostats can cost upward of tens of thousands of US dollars, even simplified instrumentation with limited applications designed for use in undergraduate chemistry laboratories can cost between several hundred and a thousand US dollars. − …”