Mechanism and Kinetics of HER and OER on NiFe LDH Films in an Alkaline Electrolyte

The mechanism and kinetics of hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen evolution (OER) reactions on nickel iron layered double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) in a basic electrolyte are investigated. The deposited film reported an overpotential of 247 and 245 mV at 10 mA/cm2 toward the HER and OER, respectively. A least squares procedure was performed to fit a theoretical current density model with experimental linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) results, and the chemical reaction rate constants for the OER and HER steps were identified. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were taken at different potentials, and the resulting kinetic model demonstrates a good agreement between theoretically calculated faradaic resistance and experimental EIS results. The HER results indicated the Heyrovsky step as rate controlling, with a dependence of reaction mechanism on potential. At low potential, the mechanism begins with a Volmer step, followed by parallel Tafel and Heyrovsky steps. At higher potential, the mechanism becomes consecutive combination of the Volmer and Heyrovsky steps. The OER data point to the formation of the adsorbed peroxide as rate controlling. The HER and OER kinetic data were combined into a model capable of predicting the electrolysis cell current-potential characteristics, which can be used for process design and optimization.