Synthesis and Characterization of Ni-Zn-Fe Alloy as an Electrocatalyst for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Adamson University, 900 San Marcelino, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
² Material Science Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines, Roxas Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, 1101, Philippines
³ Department of Engineering Physics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Jl. Arif Rahman Hakim, Keputih, Sukolilo, Surabaya, East Java, 60111, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: rugi.vicente.rubi@adamson.edu.ph

Abstract

Binary alloy of metals is an effective catalyst for hydrogen evolution using water electrolysis. The development of non-noble and low-cost material is very promising used as catalysis. Here, this work focuses on the electrodeposition of Ni-Fe-Zn as electrocatalyst for alkaline water electrolysis. Ni-Zn-Fe was deposited using co-deposition method at various potentials and plating times. The produced electrocatalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to characterize the electrochemical behaviour of the alloy in 1.0 M KOH. The metaphase of Ni-Zn-Fe alloys showed in XRD spectra which present the electrodeposits of metal alloys. The SEM spectra captured the agglomerates particle with rougher morphology and larger surface area which highly desirable for solid catalysts. Electrodeposition of the alloy showed that for every increase in voltage corresponds to an increase of 0.12 607 on the mass deposit. CV scan showed the hydrogen oxidation process. The forward and backward passes follow the same trace which indicates that no other reaction is taking place during the first CV scan. These results indicate the excellent catalytic activity of Ni-Zn-Fe electrocatalyst for bright prospect of hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis.