Nanostructured nickel based electrocatalysts for hybrid ethanol-water anion exchange membrane electrolysis

Abstract

Ni and Ni-Fe nanostructured layers prepared by magnetron sputtering in an oblique angle deposition configuration (MS-OAD) have been used as anode and cathode catalysts for hybrid ethanol-water electrolysis in an anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyser. Physico-chemical and electrochemical characterization in a three-electrode cell has been carried out to determine the optimal characteristics of the anodic films. Current densities up to 434 mA cm−2 at 2.0 V in a 1.5 M EtOH and 2.0 M KOH fuel solution were achieved with excellent operational stability for 3 days. These experiments show that the oxygen evolution reaction taking place at the anode is completely replaced by the ethanol oxidation reaction under our explored reaction conditions. The obtained results evidence the interest of this kind of organic vs. pure water electrolysis to decrease the overall electrical energy consumption for the production of hydrogen.