Effect of FeO x on the electrocatalytic properties of NiCo2O4 for O2 evolution from alkaline solutions

Mixtures of NiCo₂O₄ and FeO _x were obtained by thermal decomposition of the nitrates of Ni, Co, and Fe in appropriate proportions. Two series of electrodes were prepared: (1) at constant composition (20 mol% FeO _x ) and various calcination temperatures in the range 200 to 480 °C and (2) at constant calcination temperature (300 °C) and various compositions in the whole composition range 0 to 100 mol% FeO _x . The oxide layers were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Experimental data showed that the layers consist of a mixture of phases in which Fe oxide is present as Fe₂O₃. The electrocatalytic properties were assessed by means of quasi-stationary potentiostatic current-potential curves for the O₂ evolution reaction from alkaline solution. Results have shown that the mechanism of O₂ evolution depends on composition moderately. The electrocatalytic activity appears to depend on composition only slightly. Dedicated to Professor Oleg Petrii on the occasion of his 70th birthday on August 24th, 2007.