The Influence of Loadings and Substrates on the Performance of Nickel‐Based Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Efficient and durable catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are of great importance for energy storage and conversion devices. However, an objective evaluation and fair comparison of different catalysts remain challenging due to the different catalyst loadings and substrates for OER measurements. In this work, we investigated NiFe layer double hydroxide and commercial Ni/NiO catalysts with different loadings and substrates of glassy carbon (GC), porous nickel foam (NF), and carbon paper (CP). The activity, cycling stability, and potentiostatic stability of the catalysts are compared with respect to the loading and substrate. Catalyst loading exhibits a volcano trend with OER activity, while it has little impact on stability. The 3D substrates NF and CP significantly improved the OER activity of the catalysts compared to GC, especially at higher loadings. The consistent degradation trend of the catalysts confirms the validity of using NF or CP as substrates for the stability test.

‘Total electrode’ and ‘intrinsic’ activity parameters in water electrolysis: a comprehensive investigation

“…Here, this result has been portrayed in terms of NiO materials but this is not limited only to a particular material but to other materials like RuO 2 , NiFe-LDH etc., delivering similar results to a previous report. 9 In conclusion, it was observed that the Tafel slope value for a particular catalyst behaves extrinsically with respect to mass loading.…”

“…, delivering similar results to a previous report. 9 In conclusion, it was observed that the Tafel slope value for a particular catalyst behaves extrinsically with respect to mass loading.…”

“…The trend of the OER activity was as follows: NiFe LDH/CP > NiFe LDH/NF > NiFe LDH/GC. 9 The improved OER activity in NiFe LDH/CP and NiFe LDH/ NF as compared to NiFe LDH/GC was ascribed to the improved charge transfer at the interface due to the facile preoxidation of Ni. It is quite interesting to note that the NF, which possesses a high conductivity as compared to CP, portrays an inferior OER activity.…”

“…8 Moreover, Jiang et al described the standard protocols for the evaluation of activity and stability in the OER study by utilizing electrocatalysts (NiO and Ni–Fe-LDH) with different loadings and substrates of glassy carbon (GC), porous nickel foam (NF), and carbon paper (CP). 9 In our previous report, we have addressed the dependency of η @10 mA cm geo −2 and Tafel slopes on the mass of the catalyst in our earlier reports. 10 In addition to this, Voiry et al have reported how substantial growth in electrochemical conversion (HER/OER) is reflected in significant parameters, i.e.…”

Comprehensive enhancement in electrocatalytic oxygen evolution performance of nickel and cobalt complexes derived from π-conjugated N-heterocyclic carbene ligands through carbon composite strategy

“…Overpotential ( η ) is one of the most important descriptors to evaluate the performance of the target electrocatalysts to obtain a benchmark current density. 31 The overpotential is often referred to as the value that has to be applied to achieve a specified current density. 32 The LSV polarization curves to measure the OER performances of complexes 6–9 and their carbon composites 6 –CP , 7 –CP , 8 –CP and 9 –CP are shown in Fig.…”