Issue 2, 2019

Nanosized (Ni1−xZnx)Fe2O4 for water oxidation

Abstract

Performing water splitting for H2 production is an interesting method to store different energies. For water splitting, an efficient and stable water-oxidizing catalyst is important. Ni–Fe (hydr)oxides are among the best catalysts for water oxidation in alkaline electrolytes. An Fe amount higher than 50% in Ni–Fe (hydr)oxides increases the overpotential for water oxidation. Thus, Ni–Fe (hydr)oxides with a high ratio of Fe to Ni have rarely been focused on for water oxidation. Herein, we report water oxidation using nanosized (Ni1−xZnx)Fe2O4. The catalyst was characterized via some methods and tested at pH values of 3, 7 and 11 in phosphate buffer. Nanosized (Ni1−xZnx)Fe2O4 is a good catalyst for water oxidation only under alkaline conditions. In the next step, amperometry studies showed current densities of 3.50 mA cm−2 and 11.50 mA cm−2 at 1.25 V in 0.10 M and 1.0 M KOH solution, respectively. The amperometric measurements indicated high catalyst stability in both 0.10 M and 1.0 M KOH. Tafel plots were obtained in KOH solution at concentrations of both 0.10 M and 1.0 M. At pH = 13 in KOH solution (0.10 M), linearity of lg(j) vs. potential was shown, with two slopes relating to both relatively low (170.9 mV per decade) and high overpotentials (484.2 mV per decade). In 1.0 M KOH solution, the Tafel plot showed linearity of lg(j) vs. potential, with two slopes relating to both relatively low (192.5 mV per decade) and high overpotentials (545.7 mV per decade). After water oxidation, no significant change was observed in the catalyst.

Graphical abstract: Nanosized (Ni1−xZnx)Fe2O4 for water oxidation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 Sep 2018
Accepted
20 Oct 2018
First published
22 Oct 2018
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale Adv., 2019,1, 686-695

Nanosized (Ni1−xZnx)Fe2O4 for water oxidation

S. Mehrabani, J. P. Singh, R. Bagheri, A. G. Wattoo, Z. Song, K. H. Chae and M. M. Najafpour, Nanoscale Adv., 2019, 1, 686 DOI: 10.1039/C8NA00200B

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