Characterization of the porous Ni3Al–Mo electrodes during hydrogen generation from alkaline water electrolysis

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 63; pp. 216 - 224
• Main Authors: Wu, Liang, He, Yuehui, Lei, Ting, Nan, Bo, Xu, Nanping, Zou, Jin, Huang, Baiyun, Liu, C.T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.12.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: activation energy; alkalinity; Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; aluminum; Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalysts; catalytic activity; Current density; dielectric spectroscopy; Electrochemical; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; electrochemistry; Electrodes; Electrolysis; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Impedance spectroscopy; molybdenum; nickel; Porous Ni3Al–Mo electrodes; potassium hydroxide; Powder metallurgy; powders; Reactive synthesis; Stability; surface area; Tafel slopes; water; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Impedance spectroscopy; Powder metallurgy; Porous Ni3Al–Mo electrodes; Reactive synthesis; Electrochemical; Water; Electrolysis; Molybdenum; Hydrogen production
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2013.10.029

Objective of this work is to investigate the electrocatalytic efficiency using cyclic voltammetry, cathodic polarization and impedance spectroscopy techniques of the porous Ni3Al–Mo electrodes obtained by reactive synthesis of Ni, Al and Mo elemental powders. The kinetic parameters are determined from electrochemical steady-state polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technology in 6 M KOH. The Tafel slopes are around 0.13 V dec−1, and exchange current densities are close to 0.02 mA cm−2. Moreover, the porous Ni3Al–Mo electrodes possess high stability during prolonged electrolysis. Results are presented to show Tafel slopes, exchange current densities, apparent energy of activation and stability of the catalysts. Results suggest the significant catalytic performance not only from the increase of the real surface area of electrodes, but also from the true catalytic effect. •Porous Ni3Al–Mo electrodes possess high activity and stability during HER.•Catalytic performance is from the real surface area and the true catalytic effect.•The synergetic effect is observed.