Electrodeposited nickel-zinc alloy nanostructured electrodes for alkaline electrolyzer

Over the last decade, as a consequence of the global decarbonization process, the interest towards green hydrogen production has drastically increased. In particular a substantial research effort has focused on the efficient and affordable production of carbon-free hydrogen production processes. In this context, the development of more efficient electrolyzers with low-cost electrode/electrocatalyst materials can play a key role. This work, investigates the fabrication of electrodes of nickel-zinc alloys with nanowires morphology cathode for alkaline electrolyzers. Electrodes are obtained by the simple method of template electrosynthesis that is also inexpensive and easily scalable. Through the analysis of the morphological and chemical composition of nanowires, it was found that the nano wires composition is dependent on the concentration of two metals in the deposition solution. Electrocatalytic tests were performed in 30% w/w potassium hydroxide aqueous solution at room temperature. In order to study the electrodes stability, mid-term galvanostatic test was also carried out. All electrochemical tests show that nanowires with about 44.4% of zinc have the best performances. Particularly, at -50 mAcm(-2), these electrodes have an overpotential 50 mV lower than pure Ni nanowire. NiZn nanowires show also a good stability over time without noticeable signs of performance decay. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in interest in green hydrogen production due to global decarbonization efforts. This study investigates the fabrication of electrodes using nickel-zinc alloys with nanowires morphology for efficient and affordable electrolysis.