Ternary nickel–tungsten–copper alloy rivals platinum for catalyzing alkaline hydrogen oxidation

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Abstract

Operating fuel cells in alkaline environments permits the use of platinum-group-metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts and inexpensive bipolar plates, leading to significant cost reduction. Of the PGM-free catalysts explored, however, only a few nickel-based materials are active for catalyzing the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkali; moreover, these catalysts deactivate rapidly at high anode potentials owing to nickel hydroxide formation. Here we describe that a nickel–tungsten–copper (Ni5.2WCu2.2) ternary alloy showing HOR activity rivals Pt/C benchmark in alkaline electrolyte. Importantly, we achieved a high anode potential up to 0.3 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode on this catalyst with good operational stability over 20 h. The catalyst also displays excellent CO-tolerant ability that Pt/C catalyst lacks. Experimental and theoretical studies uncover that nickel, tungsten, and copper play in synergy to create a favorable alloying surface for optimized hydrogen and hydroxyl bindings, as well as for the improved oxidation resistance, which result in the HOR enhancement.

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Qin, S., Duan, Y., Zhang, X. L., Zheng, L. R., Gao, F. Y., Yang, P. P., … Gao, M. R. (2021). Ternary nickel–tungsten–copper alloy rivals platinum for catalyzing alkaline hydrogen oxidation. Nature Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22996-2

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