Brazilian scientists obtain a material that can be useful for hydrogen production

Hydrogen (H₂) is considered a possible alternative to fossil fuels, which are responsible for a large proportion of atmospheric emissions and global warming, but production costs must be lowered if it is to become a viable option. 

In an article published in the journal Electrochimica Acta, scientists at the Center for Development of Functional Materials (CDMF), a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC) funded by FAPESP and hosted at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in São Paulo state, Brazil, describe the synthesis of a nickel phosphide electrode that showed high efficiency in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysis. This type of reaction, which is still costly, breaks down water molecules to release hydrogen ions in a process known as hydrolysis.

Electrochemical production of hydrogen by hydrolysis is a promising technique with zero carbon emissions. Its efficiency depends on the capacity of the electrocatalyst.

In the article, the researchers describe an experiment designed to analyze the performance of amorphous nickel phosphide (Ni-P) electrodes synthesized via electrodeposition on Ni foam used as an HER electrocatalyst. The 3-Ni-P electrode performed outstandingly in alkaline, neutral and acidic conditions. The Ni-P films showed excellent stability under the different conditions studied. 

The electrode’s strong performance was attributed to its granular structure, with a large surface area enabling good interaction with the electrolyte and endorsing HER kinetics. According to the authors, the results are relevant to the search for a catalyst that is stable, easy to synthesize, and capable of operating in a wide range of pH with high efficiency for the production of hydrogen from water.

The first author of the article is Lucia Mascaro. The other co-authors are Anelisse Brunca da Silva, Marina Medina, and Lorena Goulart.

About São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe.