Abstract

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurring at the Raney-Ni mesh electrode in 30 wt.-% aqueous KOH solution were studied in the absence (silent) and presence of ultrasound (408 kHz, ∼54 W, 100% acoustic amplitude) at different electrolyte temperatures (T = 25, 40 and 60 °C). Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments were performed to analyse the electrochemical behaviour of the Raney-Ni electrode under these conditions. Under silent conditions, it was found that the electrocatalytic activity of Raney-Ni towards the HER and the OER depends upon the electrolyte temperature, and higher current densities at lower overpotentials were achieved at elevated temperatures. It was also observed that the HER activity of Raney-Ni under ultrasonic conditions increased at low temperatures (e.g., 25 °C) while the ultrasonic effect on the OER was found to be insignificant. In addition, it was observed that the ultrasonic effect on both the HER and OER decreases by elevating the temperature. In our conditions, it is suggested that ultrasound enhances the electrocatalytic performance of Raney-Ni towards the HER due to principally the efficient gas bubble removal from the electrode surface and the dispersion of gas bubbles into the electrolyte, and this effect depends upon the behaviour of the hydrogen and oxygen gas bubbles in alkaline media.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.