Researcher(s)
- Andy Redder, Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Feng Jiao, Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware
Abstract
Hydrogen gas can be produced from water electrolysis to store electrical energy in the form of a chemical fuel. This can help address the growing demand for green energy by providing a means of storing and transporting the energy produced by intermittent renewable sources. High-performing catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction are necessary for the efficient and cost-effective production of hydrogen. The ideal catalysts are able to operate at high current densities with a low overpotential, able to withstand continuous operation for extended periods of time, and produced from abundant materials. In this work, nickel/iron catalysts were synthesized via electrodeposition on a nickel foam substrate using varying ratios of nickel and iron nitrates. Catalyst performance was evaluated using an H-cell in 1M KOH. The best performing catalyst contained 35 atomic% iron and achieved a current density of 10 mA/cm2 at an overpotential of 200 mV and a Tafel slope of 30 mV/dec.