Issue 24, 2021

Electrochemical integration of amorphous NiFe (oxy)hydroxides on surface-activated carbon fibers for high-efficiency oxygen evolution in alkaline anion exchange membrane water electrolysis

Abstract

Developing practical water-splitting devices that convert earth-abundant solar energy and water into renewable fuel holds promise for a sustainable energy future; however, its successful commercialization for practical applications is limited by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we developed a high-efficiency and low-cost three-dimensional (3D) OER electrode via electrochemical integration of amorphous NiFeOOH on surface activated carbon fiber paper (CFP). The as-synthesized 3D-a-NiFeOOH/N-CFP electrode exhibits an ultra-low overpotential η(O2) of 170 mV to afford 10 mA cm−2 current density, together with a Tafel slope of 39 mV per decade, and excellent stability under OER conditions. Apart from the synergistic effect, the excellent OER activity of a-NiFeOOH/N-CFP is attributed to the unique 3D structure with enriched active sites and the improved electrical conductivity that facilitates the fast OER kinetics and mass transport properties. As a result, the catalyst achieves a high turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.99 s−1 and mass activity (jm) of 2527 A g−1 at η(O2) 270 mV, which outperforms so far reported state-of-the-art OER catalysts and commercial IrO2. Besides, an alkaline anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer fabricated with the a-NiFeOOH/N-CFP anode delivers 1 A current at 1.88 V with a long-term durability of 240 h. These findings highlight the design of high-efficiency OER catalysts and significant advancements towards the utilization of NiFeOOH catalysts for commercial applications.

Graphical abstract: Electrochemical integration of amorphous NiFe (oxy)hydroxides on surface-activated carbon fibers for high-efficiency oxygen evolution in alkaline anion exchange membrane water electrolysis

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Apr 2021
Accepted
20 May 2021
First published
20 May 2021

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 14043-14051

Electrochemical integration of amorphous NiFe (oxy)hydroxides on surface-activated carbon fibers for high-efficiency oxygen evolution in alkaline anion exchange membrane water electrolysis

P. Thangavel, G. Kim and K. S. Kim, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9, 14043 DOI: 10.1039/D1TA02883A

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