Boosting the Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution with Nickel Oxide Nanoparticle-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes in Alkaline Solutions

Abstract

The present work investigates the electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution (OE) on a glassy carbon electrode modified with nickel oxide nanoparticles (NPs) (nano-Ni) in an alkaline solution. The nano-Ni is electrodeposited from an acidic sulfate electrolyte containing various additives, such as glucose, glycerol, and dimethyl glyoxime. The NPs are characterized morphologically and electrochemically using scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The elemental composition and electronic state of the modified electrodes were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A considerable enhancement in electrocatalytic activity, depending on the additives used, is observed. The study also explores the effect of nickel oxide loading to optimize the process. The highest cathodic shift in the onset potential of the oxygen evolution reaction is achieved with nickel oxide deposited in the presence of ethylene glycol.