2D materials for catalyst of O2 generation

• Main Author: Lau, Zhan Siang
• Other Authors: Alex Yan Qingyu
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Engineering::Materials::Nanostructured materials
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/147675
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

There is a growing concern for climate change on Earth and the search for alternative energy sources comprising of sustainable and renewable energy continues. Hydrogen energy in the category of “Green Hydrogen” obtained from splitting water has been investigated from years as far back as 1966. By 1990s, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were commercialized. However, due to extremely high costs and lack of infrastructure, it was on hold for 30 years until recent renewed interest from climate change worries. To split water, a strong and powerful electrocatalyst is required and expensive noble metals are commonly used. Therefore, it is crucial to search for alternatives to replace the noble metal electrocatalyst. Powered by a renewable and clean source of energy, water electrolysis has significant potential to replace traditional fossil fuels and even Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) such as Tesla and Nio. The report aims to evaluate the electrochemical performance of amorphous mesoporous Nickel Phosphate doped with 0%, 5% and 15% Iron as a low cost electrocatalyst to replace the noble metals in electrocatalysis. At an overpotential of 370mV (current density 10mAcm-2 in 1.0M KOH) and a gentle Tafel slope value of 50 mVdec-1, Nickel Phosphate with 15% Iron Fe0.15-Ni3(PO4)2 is comparable to the RuO2 with overpotential 327mV (current density 10mAcm-2 in 1.0M KOH) and a Tafel slope value of 73.7 mVdec-1. The ease of synthesis, high stability with minimal degradation and similar electrocatalytic performance warrants the inexpensive Fe0.15-Ni3(PO4)2 with potential as a possible substitute for expensive RuO2.