Electrochemical activation of a non noble metal catalyst for the water–gas shift reaction

A novel electrochemical catalyst (Ni/K-βAl2O3/Au) has been prepared, characterized and tested under electrochemical promotion conditions for the water gas shift reaction. At 350 °C, under CO/H2O: 1%/3% composition, negative potential applications in the single chamber cell, i.e., K+ supplied ions to the active Ni catalyst film, caused a strong increase in the catalytic reaction rate for H2 production (maximum rate enhancement ratio ρ = 2.7 at optimal potential conditions). The promotional phenomenon was found to be reversible due to the activation of H2O molecules chemisorption vs. CO with the consequent formation of active OH species. The achieved results show potential for the practical application of the phenomenon of electrochemical promotion of catalysis in the activation of base metal catalysts for this kind of processes.

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► A novel single chamber solid electrolyte based on Ni has been developed.
► It has been electrochemically promoted for the water–gas shift reaction.
► A strong promotional effect was found at negative potentials (water activation vs. CO).
► The NEMCA effect can be used to greatly activate no noble metal catalyst.