Abstract
We tested the catalytic properties of various nickel and molybdenum electrodes as potential replacements for platinum for usage in alkaline water electrolysis. After initial tests found molybdenum-based electrodes to be significantly more effective than nickel electrodes, we moved to calculate overpotentials. We found nickel electrode overpotentials at ± 10 mA current to be 939 and -960 mV. Conversely, molybdenum electrode overpotentials at the same currents were 244 and -681 mV respectively. While still significantly higher than overpotentials for platinum, these results indicate that, with more testing, molybdenum-based electrodes could eventually emerge as a cheaper, more abundant alternative to platinum electrodes.
Recommended Citation
Bartol, Lance T. and Doyle, James
(2023)
"Effectiveness of Different Materials as Catalysts for Alkaline Water Electrolysis,"
Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy: Vol. 11:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/mjpa/vol11/iss1/1