Bimetallic NiFe alloys as highly efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

• Published in: Catalysis today Vol. 352; pp. 27 - 33
• Main Authors: Lim, Dongwook, Oh, Euntaek, Lim, Chaewon, Shim, Sang Eun, Baeck, Sung-Hyeon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-08-2020
• Subjects: Alloy; Electrocatalyst; Oxygen evolution reaction; Transition metal; Water splitting; Electrocatalyst; Water splitting; Transition metal; Oxygen evolution reaction; Alloy
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2019.09.046

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•Bimetallic Fe0.64Ni0.36 Alloys were prepared by a hydrothermal method followed by mild H2 reduction.•The binary metal alloys exhibited a low overpotential and substantial long-term stability for oxygen evolution reaction.•This outstanding OER performance and durability can be attributed to the synergistic effect of binary metal.
In this study, binary NiFe alloy nanoparticles are successfully prepared using a simple hydrothermal method followed by H2 reduction. The nanoparticles are then applied as electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Compared to unary Ni or Fe, the binary NiFe alloy electrocatalyst exhibits a much lower overpotential of 298 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, and it exhibits electrocatalytic activity for OER superior to that of state-of-the-art RuO2 and IrO2 noble metal oxide catalysts. Moreover, the alloy catalyst exhibits substantial long-term durability after 1000 cyclic voltammetry tests. This remarkable electrochemical performance mainly originates from the synergistic effects of Fe incorporation into Ni species, leading to the improved charge transfer kinetics and intrinsic activity of the catalyst. These results provide a promising avenue for developing cost-effective and high-performance electrocatalysts as advanced electrodes for energy storage and conversion systems.