Innovative Electrochemical Method for High-Performance Ni-Fe-Ru Electrode in Water Electrolysis
Key Ideas
- Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) using nickel electrodes shows promising low-cost hydrogen production potential.
- A novel electrochemical replacement method was proposed for Ni-Fe-Ru electrode preparation, demonstrating exceptional activity and cost-effectiveness.
- The Ni-Fe-Ru electrode exhibited superior alkaline HER and OER performance, with high Faradaic efficiencies and stability for over 300 hours.
The hydrogen energy industry is rapidly evolving to meet the 'Net Zero' goal, with a focus on hydrogen production as a key determinant of properties and costs. Water electrolysis, particularly alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), is highlighted as a cost-effective method for green hydrogen production. The article discusses the challenges in electrode materials for AWE, suggesting nickel as an alternative to noble metals. It further presents a novel electrochemical method for synthesizing a high-performance Ni-Fe-Ru electrode on nickel mesh substrates, requiring minimal time and cost. The resulting electrode demonstrates outstanding performance in alkaline HER and OER, with impressive Faradaic efficiencies and stability, making it suitable for industrial applications. The study concludes by proposing XPS and in situ Raman spectra analysis to understand the synergistic effects of Ni/Fe/Ru elements in the electrode. Overall, the article showcases a promising approach towards efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production through innovative electrode design.