Synthesis of Ni-Cu Alloy Supported on Poly(phenylenediamine) As Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Finding sustainable alternatives for fossil fuels, which are responsible of the climate change is crucial. Hydrogen is a promising solution as a non-polluting fuel cell energy vector [1]. Synthetizing a new electrocatalysts is a promising approach to improve the splitting water without using high cost platinum metal [2]. In this context, several research have been conducted on alloy such as Ni-Co, Ni-Fe and Ni-Mo [3] as electrocatalyst for Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, A simple and one step deposition method was used for the first time to synthesis a new catalyst composed of Nickel and Copper and Poly(Para-phenylediamine) for HER . A comparative study was conducted with three conjugated polymers based on Poy(phenylenediamine) [4], which were used as a support prior to the deposition of the Ni-Cu alloy by a very simple approach. The morphology and structure of the prepared catalysts were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The performance of the catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction was examined in alkaline medium by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Reference : [1] L’ONU annonce un réchauffement climatique de 2,6°C à cause d’engagements des États “pitoyablement pas à la hauteur,” Marie Claire. (2022). https://www.marieclaire.fr/rapport-de-l-onu-sur-le-climat-vers-un-rechauffement-de-2-6-c-a-cause-d-engagements-pitoyablement-pas-a-la-hauteur-des-etats,1435999.asp (accessed January 31, 2023).[2] I. Herraiz-Cardona, E. Ortega, J. Garcı´a Anto´n, V. Pe´rez-Herranz. Assessment of the roughness factor effect and the intrinsic catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction on Ni-based electrodeposits, ª 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.05.047[3] H. Li, G. Gao, H. Zhao, W. Wang, Y. Yang, Y. Du, S. Li, Y. Liu, L. Wang, Rational design of free-standing 3D Cu-doped NiS@Ni2P/NF nanosheet arrays for hydrogen evolution reaction, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 46 (2021) 33078–33086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.07.059.[4] S. Chemchoub, A. El Attar, L. Oularbi, S.A. Younssi, F. Bentiss, C. Jama, M. El Rhazi, Electrosynthesis of eco-friendly electrocatalyst based nickel-copper bimetallic nanoparticles supported on poly-phenylenediamine with highest current density and early ethanol oxidation onset potential, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 47 (2022) 39081–39096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.09.069.