Sol-gel-deposited cobalt and nickel oxide as an oxygen evolution catalyst in alkaline media

Catalysts based on cobalt and nickel oxide were investigated as anode material for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for an alkaline anion exchange water electrolyser. The catalysts have been prepared on stainless steel non-woven fabrics as electro-catalytic materials by sol-gel deposition [1,2]. Thin films were deposited by dip-coating multi step process to increase the thickness of the thin film and then sintered at different temperatures for 1 h. Electrochemical studies are carried out to test the catalytic activity for the OER in alkaline media. Surface morphology and composition of the catalysts were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray. Polarization curves prepared in a half-cell setup with 1 M KOH electrolyte at room temperature reveal a 400 mV difference between the developed CoNi oxide catalysts [3]. The catalysts with the best electrochemical properties will be tested in an experimental anion exchange membrane electrolysis cell under real conditions.