Preparation of NIAL coated nickel foam cathode for alkaline water electrolysis using atmospheric plasma spraying

Abstract

Fuel cells have received close attention from countries around the world due to its high efficiency and zero emissions. Hydrogen is one of the sources of chemical reactions in fuel cells. Generally, hydrogen is made from electrolyzed water. Hydrogen energy has practical significance for modern society in alleviating the energy crisis because of its high combustion heat value and wide sources. How to prepare electrode materials with smaller hydrogen evolution overpotential and higher catalytic activity are the key steps for industrialized electrolyzed water production of hydrogen. In this paper, a composite electrode coated NiAl powder is prepared based on the foamed Ni by atmospheric plasma spraying technology. Micromorphological characterization of uncoated foamed Ni electrode and NiAl coated foamed Ni electrode by physical characterization such as XRD and SEM. The electrochemical activity tests were performed on LSV, CA, CV, and EIS electrochemical test methods for uncoated foam Ni electrodes and NiAl coated foam Ni electrode. It turned out that the Ni electrode with NiAl coated has a positive shift of the hydrogen evolution potential by 0.08V compared with the uncoated Ni electrode, and the electrochemical impedance is lower than that of the uncoated Ni electrode. NiAl-coated Ni electrode have higher catalytic activity. Applying a functional coating on the electrode provides an effective way to reduce the overpotential of alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production.