Ni-FOAM MODIFIED BY ‘’DIP AND DRYING’’ METHOD - EFFECT OF TRANSITION METAL SALTS ON THE ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

The paper presents the application of facile one-step “Dip and Drying –DDM” method for deposition of different transition metals (Fe, Co and Ni) on nickel foam (NF) substrates. The obtained modified electrodes are tested as bi-functional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting reaction. The influence of the used metal salts (chloride, sulphate or nitrite) on catalytic efficiency of the modified NF electrodes toward the hydrogen (HER) and oxygen (OER) evolution reactions in 1M KOH is also investigated. The performed electrochemical experiments cyclic voltammetry, (CV) and low sweep voltammetry, (LSV) indicate good catalytic performance, originated from the combined effect of electrochemically active constituents, 3D interconnected porosity of the substrate, and its high electrical conductivity, which in turn, resulted in large active surface area available for partial electrode reactions . The electrodes obtained from sulphate baths accelerated both HER and OER, over-performing the rest of the investigated samples and could be considered as potential candidates for application in industrial alkaline electrolysis.