Electrochemical performance of NiAl-activated cathode for green hydrogen production

Abstract

The current study presents for the first time the preparation of a NiAl (68% (mass) Ni) intermetallic compound through the induction heating technique as a cathode for alkaline water electrolysis. The high-purity target was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The chemical activation of Al from the NiAl electrode was achieved in a 25% NaOH solution at 353 K for 72 h. The performance and stability tests in a 1 mol·L⁻¹ KOH solution at 298 K demonstrated that the enhancement of the hydrogen evolution reaction was 13 times higher in the activated NiAl electrode than in the non-activated NiAl electrode. In addition, the electrochemical tests showed that the activated NiAl electrode exhibited the best hydrogen evolution reaction performance. Based on the findings, it is believed that the induction heating technique is a promising route for preparing a highly active and cost-effective NiAl electrode for green hydrogen production.