Improved oxygen evolution reaction performance of NiCo-metal organic framework/carbon paper catalysts in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis via ultrafast atmospheric-pressure plasma jet processing
Journal
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Journal Volume
113
Start Page
429
End Page
440
ISSN
03603199
Date Issued
2025-03
Author(s)
Zhi-Hui Pu
Shuo-En Yu
I-Chih Ni
Nitika Devi
Chang-Xin Liu
Yong-Song Chen
DOI
10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.02.338
Abstract
A NiCo metal organic framework (MOF) was solvothermally synthesized on carbon paper (CP) (NiCo-MOF/CP) as a catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The NiCo-MOF/CP catalyst modified using ultrafast atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) treatment improved the OER performance. Through APPJ treatment for 60 s, high-valence oxidation states (Ni3+, Co3+) and oxygen vacancies can be introduced on the surface of the electrocatalyst while maintaining the MOF structure. NiCo-MOF/CP electrocatalysts treated for 60 s exhibited the best OER activity, with the overpotential decreasing from 843 mV to 680 mV at a current density of 100 mA/cm2. The double-layer capacitance (2Cdl) value increased from 9.55 mF/cm2 to 45.77 mF/cm2, indicating that the APPJ treatment significantly increased the active surface area. Testing the electrocatalyst as an anode (OER) electrode in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) at 25 °C, plasma treatment increased the energy efficiency from 77.14% to 80.69% at a current density of 100 mA/cm2. At 70 °C and a current density of 500 mA/cm2, the specific energy consumption reached 4.37 kWh/m3, and the cell voltage dropped to 1.71 V, demonstrating excellent low voltage performance. The durability test results show that after plasma treatment, the degradation rate decreased from 718.3 μV/h to −118.3 μV/h. These results indicate that APPJ treatment can improve the performance of OER electrocatalysts in AEMWE.
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article