Characterization of Ni-Fe Alloy Electrodeposited Electrode for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Abstract

Alkaline water electrolysis is commercial hydrogen production technology. It is possible to operate MW scale plant. Because It used non-precious metal for electrode. But It has relatively low current density and low efficiency. In this study, research objective is development of anode for alkaline water electrolysis with low cost, high corrosion resistance and high efficiency. Stainless steel 316L (SUS 316L) was selected for a substrate of electrode. To improve corrosion resistance of substrate, Nickel (Ni) layer was electrodeposited on SUS 316L. Ni-Fe alloy was electrodeposited on the passivated Ni layer as active catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction(OER). We optimized preparation condition of Ni-Fe alloy electrodeposition by changing current density, electrodeposition time and composition ratio of Ni-Fe electrodeposition bath. This electrodes were electrochemically evaluated by using Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Cyclic voltammetry (CV). The Ni-Fe alloy (Ni : Fe = 1 : 1) showed best activity of OER. The optimized electrode decreased overpotential about 40% at $100mA/cm^2$ compared with Ni anode.