Functionalized Monometallic Transition Metal Surfaces for Selective hydrogen Evolution Reaction

 

INV-20027

 

Hydrogen at scale via water electrolysis has always been an energy cost and is a potentially cost-effective, where carbon-neutral means hydrogen gas production. The development of low-cost and reliable catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a key component in achieving the widespread adoption of this technology. The introduction of anionic exchange polymer membranes has enabled the use of metal catalysts in these electrochemical reactors that would otherwise corrode in reactors that use traditional proton exchange membranes. Among these metals, nickel has shown high activity towards HER. 

However, there are two main drawbacks of using nickel as an HER catalyst 

- It easily oxidizes to the electrochemically inactive nickel oxide

- Prolonged use of nickel results in the inactivation of the catalyst through the build-up hydrides which poisons the catalyst

 

For this invention, the process involves the use of a corrosive reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. Here, a functionalized nickel catalyst is prepared by forming a complex comprised of the nickel ion and the chelating agent cupferron in the presence of the carbon support. The catalyst mixture is prepared by adding nickel salt to a slurry of the carbon support. A solution of cupferron is added to the slurry, the mixture is filtered, dried, and heat-treated. During the heat treatment, the nickel oxide is reduced to nickel metal and the carbon backbone is graphitized by the nickel metal. The resulting catalyst has nickel particles embedded in the carbon support that are covered by several layers of graphite. Electrochemical tests display an improved activity of this catalyst towards HER relative to traditionally prepared nickel on carbon catalysts and a performance that is sustained over a prolonged period of time.

 

- Improved electrochemical performance

- Resists hydride poisoning allowing for prolonged use

- Resists oxidation 

 

- Hydrogen production via water electrolysis

- Electrochemical hydrogen separation 

 

- License

- Research collaboration

- Partnering