Effect of Experimental Parameters on the Electrocatalytic Performance in Rotating Disc Electrode Measurements: Case Study of Oxygen Evolution on Ni−Co‐Oxide in Alkaline Media

ChemElectroChem, vol. 9

Abstract

Abstract A preselection of catalysts by screening their performance prior to intensive analysis can save a lot of time and money. A commonly applied screening tool is the rotating disk electrode setup. For powder materials, however, the measured electrocatalytic performance can be influenced by various experimental parameters. Here, a nickel cobalt mixed‐oxide is investigated as a model catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media. The determined electrochemical performance upon variation of the ink composition, catalyst loading, electrolyte concentration, and gas saturation in the electrolyte is systematically evaluated. The results indicate that some parameters do not directly influence the measured performance, whereas others show a significant effect. Special attention is given to the interaction with Fe‐impurities present in the electrolyte. The here presented insights into the impact of different parameters can support the interpretation of possible side effects in electrocatalyst analysis.

Authors 5

1. Sabita Bhandari corresponding Aachen Electrochemical Reaction Engineering Aachener Verfahrenstechnik Electrochemical Reaction Engineering

   Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Electrochemical Reaction Engineering Aachener Verfahrenstechnik RWTH Aachen University Forckenbeckstr. 51 52074 Aachen Germany

   Heterogeneous Catalysis Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion Stiftstraße 34–36 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany

   Electrochemical Reaction Engineering, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Praveen Vidusha Narangoda

   Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion

   Affiliation as printed

   Heterogeneous Catalysis Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion Stiftstraße 34–36 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany

3. Siri O. Mogensen

   Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion

   Affiliation as printed

   Heterogeneous Catalysis Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion Stiftstraße 34–36 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany

4. Marc F. Tesch

   Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion

   Affiliation as printed

   Heterogeneous Catalysis Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion Stiftstraße 34–36 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany

5. Anna K. Mechler corresponding Aachen Electrochemical Reaction Engineering Aachener Verfahrenstechnik Electrochemical Reaction Engineering

   Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Electrochemical Reaction Engineering Aachener Verfahrenstechnik RWTH Aachen University Forckenbeckstr. 51 52074 Aachen Germany

   Heterogeneous Catalysis Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion Stiftstraße 34–36 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany

   Electrochemical Reaction Engineering, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstr. 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany