Scientists obtain material for hydrogen production – 02/16/2024 – Science

Hydrogen (H_two) is considered a possible alternative to fossil fuels, which are responsible for much of the warming of the atmosphere. However, it is still necessary to reduce H production costs_two so that it actually becomes viable.

In research published in the journal Electrochimica Acta, in January this year, researchers linked to the Center for Development of Functional Materials (CDMF) described the synthesis of a nickel phosphide electrode that demonstrated high efficiency in electrocatalysis for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER ). This type of reaction, which still has a high cost, promotes the breakdown of the water molecule (hydrolysis), releasing hydrogen ions.

Electrochemical hydrogen production by water electrolysis is a promising technique with zero carbon emissions. The efficiency of the process depends on the capacity of the electrocatalyst.

The study was carried out by researchers Lorena Goulart, Marina Medina, Anelisse Brunca da Silva and Lucia Mascaro. And the CDMF, to which they are linked, is a Fapesp Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (CEPID) based at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar).

In the experiment, the researchers analyze the relationship between the molar rate of nickel (Ni) in amorphous nickel phosphide (Ni-P) electrodes electrodeposited on nickel foam and used as an electrocatalyst for HER. The 3-Ni-P electrode showed excellent performance as a catalyst in all acidity conditions and the Ni-P films demonstrated excellent stability in the different conditions studied.

The good performance was attributed to the granular structure of the material, with a large surface area, allowing good interaction with the electrolyte, favoring the HER kinetics. The results are relevant to the search for a stable, easy-to-synthesize catalyst material to make it possible to obtain hydrogen gas from water.