TY - JOUR

T1 - Influence of Operating Conditions on the Hydrogen Evolution Activity of Ni-Based Catalysts in Alkaline Electrolytes

AU - Kuznetsov, Aleksey N.

AU - Cherstiouk, Olga V.

AU - Simonov, Pavel A.

AU - Kvon, Ren I.

AU - Kozlov, Denis V.

AU - Oshchepkov, Alexandr G.

N1 - This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the governmental assignment for Boreskov Institute of Catalysis (project FWUR-2024-0036).

PY - 2026/3/20

Y1 - 2026/3/20

N2 - The development of active and durable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts based on non-noble metals is essential for cost-effective alkaline water electrolysis. Yet, their benchmarking is often complicated by poorly controlled operating conditions. Here, we investigate carbon-supported Ni, NiCu, and NiMo nanoparticles for the HER using rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements, with particular attention to the effects of catalyst loading, pH, and electrolyte composition. We show that OH- concentration, cation effects, and trace metal impurities significantly alter the electrochemical behavior of Ni-based catalysts, and, most importantly, their HER performance. Mass-normalized currents are identified as more reliable benchmarking metrics than overpotentials at fixed geometric current densities. Stability tests performed on planar electrodes reveal that decay in HER performance is governed by impurity metal deposition and alloying-metal dissolution, as well as changes in the Ni/NiOx balance. Overall, the results highlight both the potential of Ni-based catalysts as alternatives to Pt and the critical importance of carefully controlled operating conditions for a meaningful evaluation of HER activity and durability.

AB - The development of active and durable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts based on non-noble metals is essential for cost-effective alkaline water electrolysis. Yet, their benchmarking is often complicated by poorly controlled operating conditions. Here, we investigate carbon-supported Ni, NiCu, and NiMo nanoparticles for the HER using rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements, with particular attention to the effects of catalyst loading, pH, and electrolyte composition. We show that OH- concentration, cation effects, and trace metal impurities significantly alter the electrochemical behavior of Ni-based catalysts, and, most importantly, their HER performance. Mass-normalized currents are identified as more reliable benchmarking metrics than overpotentials at fixed geometric current densities. Stability tests performed on planar electrodes reveal that decay in HER performance is governed by impurity metal deposition and alloying-metal dissolution, as well as changes in the Ni/NiOx balance. Overall, the results highlight both the potential of Ni-based catalysts as alternatives to Pt and the critical importance of carefully controlled operating conditions for a meaningful evaluation of HER activity and durability.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105028255357

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/48eae573-420b-307b-ba21-91fd048890a8/

U2 - 10.1016/j.electacta.2026.148240

DO - 10.1016/j.electacta.2026.148240

M3 - Article

VL - 553

JO - Electrochimica Acta

JF - Electrochimica Acta

SN - 0013-4686

M1 - 148240

ER -