Benchmarking of oxygen evolution catalysts on porous nickel supports

•The oxygen evolution reaction is a key process in electrolysis reactions•Catalysts deposited on Ni foam were benchmarked by using standardized protocol•Activity was enhanced through support modification•Low overpotentials achieved for high current density operation Storage of intermittent renewable energy can be the conversion electricity into chemical energy. The solar- and electricity-driven production vectors such as hydrogen, alcohols, hydrocarbons electrochemical cells, where proton CO2 reduction at cathode coupled to water oxidation anode. To develop these processes high-rate, energy-efficient experimental demonstrations, highly active stable (OER) catalysts are needed. present benchmarking study, characterization protocol, allows rigorous identification best solid-state OER based non-precious metals immobilized support. Further optimization anodes will emerge not only tuning composition morphology but also from design integration novel conductive structured supports. Active inexpensive electrocatalysts needed applications. Objective comparison between has been blurred use different supports methods evaluate performance. Here, we selected nine transition-metal-based described their synthesis, porous nickel new Ni-based dendritic material We designed protocol characterize compare terms structure, activity, sites, stability. NiFeSe- CoFeSe-derived oxides showed highest activities our support, with low η100 ≈ 247 mV 100 mA cm–2 1 M KOH. Stability evaluation no surface leaching 8 h electrolysis. This work highlights most anode materials provides an easy way increase geometric catalyst porosity its one relevant anodic reactions within it hydrogen (HER)1Kim J.H. Hansora D. Sharma P. Jang J.W. Lee J.S. Toward practical solar – artificial photosynthetic leaf-to-farm challenge.Chem. Soc. Rev. 2019; 48: 1908-1971Crossref PubMed Google Scholar, 2Ager Shaner M.R. Walczak K.A. Sharp I.D. Ardo S. 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Catalysts compared intrinsic activities, normalization (ECSAs). general challenging issue, quite often incompletely addressed. have, careful determination concentrations sites specific propose best-practice researchers Finally, report NF-based increased structuration, leading improvements almost all studied catalysts. By doing so, values 195 198 cm−2, among lowest demonstrate compositional stability evaluated (Figure S1). stress necessity galvanostatic tests well quantification assess catalyst. Nine Cu-O cathodically electrodeposited 1A) aqueous solutions precursors. simple resulted structures SEM (Figures 1B, 1C, S2, S4). particularly strong adhesion substrate because presence as-deposited ensures continuous and, small lattice mismatch. EDX confirm elemental S3 S5). CoPi anodically electrodeposited, slow large poor 1D, S6, S7) . FeCoW 1E, S8A, S8B, S9) 1F, S10, S11) nanomaterial dispersions Nafion ink drop-cast dried onto form thick layers, remained attached cracks S8B S10C). major limitation hydrophobicity dry Nafion, promotes air trapped catalyst/electrolyte limits contact area. reach kept oxidative (10 min 5 cm−2) electrolyte Nafion’s hydrophilic domains swell become predominant bulk.48Zhao Majsztrik Benziger Diffusion interfacial transport nafion.J. 115: 2717-2727Crossref (209) modification nanostructure after process, revealing layer structure S8C S8D). conclude once network fully hydrated exposed electrolyte. dissolution/precipitation equilibria interface, resulting surfaces. NiFe-OOH 1G, S12, S13) galvanic Fe3+ precursor, oxy-hydroxide. source nickel, etched reaction. slightly modifies etching backbone. Nevertheless, interesting simple. complex three-step procedure involving hydrothermal layered double hydroxides (LDHs), selenization subsequent reoxidation. images NiFeSe-dO 1H, S14, S15) CoFeSe-dO 1I, S16, S17) revealed dense, thick, mechanically deposits nanostructures 30–100 nm. selenide involves hazardous steps reoxidation leads toxic selenite waste products. one-step coprecipitation V mixed-phase LDH 1J, S18, S19)—this results loading NF. should noted atomic compositions differed those some cases. example, case S5), modifications film. tungste