Oxygen-evolution reaction by nickel/nickel oxide interface in the presence of ferrate(VI)

Mohammad Saleh Ali Akbari,Robabeh Bagheri,Mohammad Mahdi Najafpour,Zhenlun Song

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-65674-x

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the effect of K2FeO4, as a new and soluble Fe salt at alkaline conditions, on oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) of Ni oxide. Both oxidation and reduction peaks for Ni in the presence and absence of Fe are linearly changed by (scan rate)1/2. Immediately after the interaction of [FeO4]2- with the surface of the electrode, a significant increase in OER is observed. This could be indicative of the fact that either the [FeO4]2- on the surface of Ni oxide is directly involved in OER, or, it is important to activate Ni oxide toward OER. Due to the change in the Ni(II)/(III) peak, it is hypothesized that Fe impurity in KOH or electrochemical cell has different effects at the potential range. At low potential, [FeO4]2− is reduced on the surface of the electrode, and thus, is significantly adsorbed on the electrode. Finally, oxygen-evolution measurements of K2FeO4 and Ni2O3 are investigated under chemical conditions. K2FeO4 is not stable in the presence of Ni(II) oxide, and OER is observed in a KOH solution (pH ≈ 13).

Highlights

In this study, we investigate the effect of K2FeO4, as a new and soluble Fe salt at alkaline conditions, on oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) of Ni oxide
In this study, [FeO4]2− was used as an Fe salt, and its effect on Ni oxide was investigated during OER
Using [FeO4]2− as an Fe salt has some advantages: (i) It is a new Fe salt for investigating the effect of Fe on OER by nickel oxide. (ii) In contrast to many Fe salts, [FeO4]2− is soluble under alkaline conditions

Summary

Introduction

We investigate the effect of K2FeO4, as a new and soluble Fe salt at alkaline conditions, on oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) of Ni oxide. LSV of the Ni foam in KOH (pH ≈ 13) showed that before adding [FeO4]2−, the onset of OER is observed at 1.52 V (in the paper, all potentials are reported vs RHE) (Fig. 1a).

Results

Conclusion