High Activity Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalysts from Additive-Controlled Electrodeposited Ni and NiFe Films

Electrodeposition of Ni or NiFe films exhibiting fractal-like behavior from plating baths containing an inhibitor, such as 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole (DAT), is found to yield oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for alkaline solutions exhibiting high current densities (100 mA/cm²), high mass activity (-1200 A/g of catalyst), high stability (>72 h), and low overpotentials (-300 mV). By changing electrodeposition time, the activity of the catalyst can be tuned, with longer times yielding higher activities. The electrodeposition method works with any conductive substrate yielding unprecedented performance and providing an easy route to high activity catalysts.