Issue 10, 2020

Separating bulk and surface processes in NiOx electrocatalysts for water oxidation

Abstract

Nickel oxide-based catalysts currently represent the state of the art in electrochemical water oxidation in alkaline pH. However, much of their functionality remains poorly understood, particularly regarding catalytically active sites and mechanism. Herein, we conduct a thickness dependent study of sputter deposited NiOx films by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and spectroelectrochemistry in order to differentiate bulk oxidation from catalytic activation. We find that while catalytic activation occurs throughout the film bulk, only the upper ≤5 nm of these films are able to participate in the water oxidation reaction, a result that may be critical in the design of next generation co-catalysts to maximise performance and minimise light absorption losses.

Graphical abstract: Separating bulk and surface processes in NiOx electrocatalysts for water oxidation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
03 Jul 2020
Accepted
09 Aug 2020
First published
10 Aug 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020,4, 5024-5030

Separating bulk and surface processes in NiOx electrocatalysts for water oxidation

S. Corby, M. Tecedor, S. Tengeler, C. Steinert, B. Moss, C. A. Mesa, H. F. Heiba, A. A. Wilson, B. Kaiser, W. Jaegermann, L. Francàs, S. Gimenez and J. R. Durrant, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2020, 4, 5024 DOI: 10.1039/D0SE00977F

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