Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Comparative Study of Cathodic Electrodeposited Nickel Hydroxide Films Electrocatalysts

  • Published:
Electrocatalysis Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the cathodic electrodeposition of nickel hydroxides from NiCl2 at constant potentials. In a single-compartment electrochemical cell, the procedure yields black films that have the appearance of glassy carbon. XPS analyses reveal that the films consist of a mixture of Ni(OH)2 and NiOOH in a proportion that depends on the deposition potential; furthermore, SIMS analyses indicate that the coatings are richer in NiOOH in the inner regions towards the support. The electrochemical behavior has been compared with data obtained on electrodes based on pure Ni(OH)2 prepared by cathodic electrodeposition from Ni(NO3)2, following literature procedures. This comparison confirms the composite nature of black nickel hydroxide (BN) coatings, adding that Ni(OH)2 and NiOOH are present in nearly equal amounts. The electrocatalytic activity of BN electrodes was tested in the oxidation of methanol in alkaline solutions. Experimental results are consistent with a mechanism previously proposed in literature for the oxidation of organic compounds on nickel electrodes. Comparison with electrodes based on pure Ni(OH)2 shows that, in the low potentials region, the presence of a high amount of NiOOH causes a decrease of activity, while an opposite effect is observed when the potential is increased. The black nickel electrodes show a remarkable stability in repeated cycles of oxidation of methanol and O2 evolution; under similar conditions, conventional Ni(OH)2 films show an appreciable decrease in thickness, as evidenced by the decrease of peak charge in cyclic voltammetry experiments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. L.D. Burke, M.E.G. Lyons, in Modern aspects of electrochemistry, ed. by R.E. White, J.O.M. Bockris, B.E. Conway, vol. 18 (Plenum Press, New York, 1986)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  2. J. McBreen, in Modern aspects of electrochemistry, ed. by R.E. White, J.O.M. Bockris, B.E. Conway, vol. 21 (Plenum Press, New York, 1990)

    Google Scholar 

  3. M.E.G. Lyons, L. Russel, M. O’Brien, R.L. Doyle, I. Godwin, M.P. Brandon, Int. J. Electrochem. 7, 2710 (2012)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. M. Nieuwenhuizen, J. Bastiaansen, B. Pauw, X. Wang, K. Scholz, J. Reijenga (coordinator), in The versatility of nickel oxide, Interfacultary project, (The University of Eindhoven, 2004), (http://students.chem.tue.nl/ifp10/Downloads/final%20report%20nickeloxide.pdf)

  5. J. McBreen, in Handbook of battery materials, ed. by C. Daniel, J.O. Besenhard, vol. 1 (Wiley, Weinheim, Germany, 2011)

    Google Scholar 

  6. H.-Y. Wu, H.-W. Wang, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci. 7, 4405 (2012)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. G. Fu, Z. Hu, L. Xie, X. Jin, Y. Xie, Y. Wang, Z. Zhang, Y. Yang, H. Wu, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci. 4, 1052 (2009)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. J. Zhang, L.-B. Kong, J.-J. Cai, H. Li, Y.-C. Luo, L. Kang, Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 132, 154 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. M.-S. Wu, K.-C. Huang, Chem. Commun. 47, 12122 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. M. Cao, X. He, J. Chen, C. Hu, Cryst. Growth Des. 7, 170 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. D.-D. Zhao, S.-J. Bao, W.-J. Zhou, H.-L. Li, Electrochem. Commun. 9, 869 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. M.E.G. Lyons, A. Cakara, P. O’Brien, I. Godwin, R.L. Doyle, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci. 7, 11768 (2012)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Y. Mu, D. Jia, Y. He, Y. Miao, H.L. Wu, Biosens. Bioelectron. 26, 2948 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. E. Antolini, E.R. Gonzalez, J. Power Sources 195, 3431 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. T. Yukina, T. Tatsuma, Langmuir 21, 12357 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. M. Fleischmann, K. Korinek, D. Pletcher, J. Electroanal. Chem. 31, 39 (1971)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. R. Murray (Ed.) Molecular design of electrode surfaces, Wiley Intersci. Pub., New York, 10092

  18. M.S. Risbud, S. Baxter, M. Skyllas-Kazacos, Open Fuel Energ. Sci. J. 5, 9 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. M. Vidotti, M.R. Silva, R.P. Salvador, S.I. Cordoba de Torresi, L.H. Dall’Antonia, Electrochim. Acta 53, 4030 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. D. Wang, W. Yan, S.H. Vijapur, G.G. Botte, J. Power Sources 217, 498 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. T. Subbaiah, S.C. Mallick, K.G. Mishra, K. Sanjay, J. Power Sources 112, 562 (2002)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. D.A. Corrigan, J. Electrochem. Soc. 134, 377 (1987)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. R.S. Jayanshree, P.V. Kamath, J. Power Sources 93, 273 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Y.-C. Weng, T.C. Chou, J. Electrochem. Soc. 150, C385 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. T.-C. Liu, B.E. Conway, J. Appl. Electrochem. 17, 983 (1987)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. G.W.D. Briggs, M. Fleischmann, Trans. Faraday Soc. 62, 3217 (1966)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. A.C. Chialvo, M.R. Gennero de Chialvo, J. Appl. Electrochem. 21, 440 (1991)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. A. Groza, J. Prakash, E.B. Yeager in Performance of electrodes for industrial electrochemical processes (F. Hine, B.V. Tilak, J.M. Fenton, J.D. Lisius, Eds.), Proceedings of the Electrochem. Soc., Vol. 89–10, p. 205–27, 1989. See also, A.G. Carcea, I.A. Groza, ieeexplore.ieee.org.

  29. M. Lira-Cantú, A.M. Sabio, A. Brustenga, P. Gómez-Romero, Sol. Energ. Mater. Sol. Cell 87, 685 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. E. Shangguan, Z. Chang, H. Tang, X.-Z. Yuan, H. Wang, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 35, 3214 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Y. Sun, J. Pan, P. Wan, X. Liu, Mater. Res. Bull. 44, 943 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. A.A. El-Shafei, J. Electroanal. Chem. 471, 89 (1999)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. W. Huang, Z. Li, Y. Peng, Z. Niu, Chem. Commun. 1380 (2004)

  34. M.A. Abdel Rahim, R.M. Abdel Hameed, M.W. Khalil, J. Power Sources 134, 160 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. W. Huang, Z.L. Li, Y.D. Peng, S. Chen, J.F. Zheng, Z.J. Niu, J. Solid State Electrochem. 9, 284 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. J.M. Skowrońźski, A. Waźny, J. New Mater. Electrochem. Syst. 9, 345 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  37. I. Danaee, M. Jafariana, F. Forouzandeh, F. Gobal, M.G. Mahjani, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 34, 859 (2009)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. N. Spinner, W.E. Mustain, Electrochim. Acta 56, 5656 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. G.G.W. Lee, J. Leddy, S.D. Minteer, Chem. Commun. 48, 11972 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. E.M. Garcia, H.A. Taroco, T. Matencio, R.Z. Domingues, I.M.F. de Oliveira, H.D.R. Calado, V.F.C. Lins, Electrocatalysis 4, 71 (2013)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. M. Asgari, M.G. Maragheh, R. Davarkhah, E. Lohrasbi, J. Electrochem. Soc. 158, K225 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. C. Pagura, S. Daolio, B. Facchin, in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry SIMS VIII, ed. by A. Benninghoven, K.T.F. Jansen, J. Tumpner, H.W. Werner (Wiley, Chichester, 1992), p. 239

    Google Scholar 

  43. S.Y. Shen, T.S. Zhao, J.B. Xu, Y.S. Li, J. Power Sources 195, 1001 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. C.C. Streinz, S. Matupally, J.W. Weidner, J. Electrochem. Soc. 142, 4051 (1995)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. A. Visintin, W.E. Triaca, A.J. Arvia, J. Appl. Electrochem. 26, 493 (1996)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Z. Ogumi, S.K. Jeong, M. Inaba, T. Abe, in Macromolecular Symposia 156: Macromolecule-Metal Complexes (MMC-8), E. Tsuchida (Ed.), p. 203, Wiley-VCH, 2000

  47. B.E. Conway, X. Wang, P.J. Sebastian, A.-C. Millan, P.V. Parkhutik, S.A. Gamboa, J. New Mat. Electrochem. Systems 8, 101 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  48. M.-S. Kim, T.-S. Hwang, K.-B. Kim, J. Electrochem. Soc. 144, 1537 (1997)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. R. Kostecki, F. McLarnon, J. Electrochem. Soc. 144, 485 (1997)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. R. Boggio, A. Carugati, S. Trasatti, J. Appl. Electrochem. 17, 828 (1987)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. G. Spinolo, S. Ardizzone, S. Trasatti, J. Electroanal. Chem. 423, 49 (1997)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. G. Vertes, G. Horanyi, J. Electroanal. Chem. 52, 47 (1974)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. J. Taraszewska, G. Roslonek, J. Electroanal. Chem. 364, 209 (1994)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. S. Ferro, C.A. Martinez-Huitle, A. De Battisti, J. Appl. Electrochem. 40, 1779 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. B.E. Conway, in Physical Chemistry- Series One: Vol. 6 , Electrochemistry, ed. by J.O.M. Bockris (Butterworth & Co Pub, London, 1973)

    Google Scholar 

  56. E. Gileadi, E. Kirowa-Eisner, J. Penciner, Interfacial Electrochemistry (Addison-Wesley Pub, Reading, Massachusetts, 1975)

    Google Scholar 

  57. V.S. Protsenko, F.I. Danilov, J. Electroanal. Chem. 651, 105 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work is part of the undergraduate dissertation of Dario Fornasiero for the obtainment of the Degree in Chemical Sciences at the University of Ferrara.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ISOF-CNR u.o.s. Ferrara, and Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, National Council of Research (C.N.R.), via Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy

    R. Amadelli

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Ferrara, via Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy

    S. Ferro

  3. IENI-CNR Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127, Padova, Italy

    S. Barison

  4. Paul Scherrer Institut PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland

    R. Kötz

  5. Micro Crystal AG, CH-2540, Grenchen, Switzerland

    B. Schnyder

  6. Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Gagarin ave. 8, 49005, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine

    A. B. Velichenko

Authors
  1. R. Amadelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Ferro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Barison
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Kötz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. B. Schnyder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. B. Velichenko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Amadelli.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(DOC 198 kb).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Amadelli, R., Ferro, S., Barison, S. et al. A Comparative Study of Cathodic Electrodeposited Nickel Hydroxide Films Electrocatalysts. Electrocatalysis 4, 329–337 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-013-0154-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-013-0154-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation