Hydrogen evolution reaction activity and stability of sintered porous Ni-Cu-Ti-La2O3 cathodes in a wide pH range

Abstract

Finding a low-cost, efficient, stable, and workable electrode for the production of hydrogen based on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is particularly critical. At present, the use of Pt/C electrodes is under development, but the expensive cost hinders its wide application in the HER field. Herein, a novel porous Ni-Cu-Ti-La 2 O 3 cathode with a porosity of 29.07% was proved to be an excellent substitute for the HER, which was fabricated by vacuum sintering based on powder metallurgy. The hydrogen evolution efficiency is superior to that of commercial 20% Pt/C under pH = 14.1 condition (2.67 mol/L KOH). The HER activity is also close to commercial 20% Pt/C under pH = 0.1 (1 mol/L HCl) and pH = 8.1 (3.34% simulated seawater) conditions and exceeds it after reaching a high potential. Meanwhile, it can achieve good HER stability within 48 h and maintain its HER activity after 1000 continuous cycle electrolysis. • The porous Ni–Cu-Ti-La 2 O 3 cathodes were sintered through powder metallurgy. • The cathodes exhibited excellent HER activity and stability in a wide pH range. • The HER activity of the cathodes is superior to that of 20% Pt/C in 2.67 mol/L KOH. • The La 2 O 3 and La phases greatly increased the real surface area of the cathodes.