NiCuAl electrodes for enhanced oxygen evolution performance: surface reconstruction and the impact of Cu

Abstract

Developing high-efficiency, stable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is pivotal for enabling next-generation energy technologies. NiAl alloys demonstrate potential application value in electrochemical field. However, their intrinsic electrocatalytic activity is limited. Reports indicate that elemental doping and CV activation may enhance electrocatalytic activity. Based on this, this study investigates the electrochemical properties of NiAl and NiCuAl alloys, elucidating the synergistic mechanism between Cu doping and CV activation. Porous NiAl and NiCuAl alloy samples were prepared using powder metallurgy. CV activation was performed on the samples in a 1 mol/L KOH solution under a three-electrode system. The results indicate that: 1) CV activation drives surface rearrangement of the NiCuAl samples, promoting uniform elemental distribution and forming an active Ni-oxyhydroxide layer; 2) Compared to the activated NiAl catalyst, the activated NiCuAl catalyst exhibits superior oxygen evolution reaction kinetics, achieving a lower overpotential (310 mV) and a smaller Tafel slope (96.88 mV/dec) at a current density of 50 mA/cm². Moreover, it maintains its activity for up to 72 hours in alkaline media; 3) The NiCuAl alloy forms more Ni oxyhydroxides due to the doping regulation effect of Cu.

Keywords

electrochemical activation / Ni oxyhydroxide / oxygen evolution reaction / powder metallurgy / porous Ni-based catalysts

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