Passivity and electrocatalysis of nanostructured nickel encapsulated in carbon

• Published in: Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP Vol. 13; no. 28; pp. 12968 - 12974
• Main Authors: Haslam, Gareth E., Chin, Xiao-Yao, Burstein, G. Tim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemistry; Corrosion; Corrosion prevention; Electrocatalysis; Electrochemistry; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; Nanostructure; Nickel; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; High resolution; Anode; Film; Hydrogen; Potential; Sputtering; Acidic solution; Sulfuric acid; Thin film; Electrocatalysis; Synthesis; pH; Oxidation; Protection; Diameter; Nanocrystal; Fuel cell; Passivation; Transition metal; Nanostructure; Carbon; Foil; Transmission electron microscopy; Corrosion; Graphite; Nickel; Catalyst

Metallic nickel is a powerful electrocatalyst in alkaline solution and is able to be used in the alkaline fuel cell. However, in acidic solution, electrocatalysis is impossible because the metal is subject to rapid corrosion at low pH for all potentials at which an acidic fuel cell would operate. He...