Catalytic performance of hydrothermally processed NiO nanoparticles in environmentally sustainable electrolytic medium

Abstract

In recent years, the focus of research has been shifted toward developing alternative energy sources to diminish reliance on natural resources and enhance the efficiency of existing resources like solar cells and fuel cells. Electrodes play a pivotal role in such cells or batteries, often necessitating effective catalytic action. Extensive literature highlights the urgent need for efficient catalysts, especially beyond costly Pt catalysts. This study presents the synthesis of nanostructured Nickel oxide (NiO) via a Hydrothermal process, employing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and Nickel Nitrate Hexahydrate Ni (NO3)2·6H2O as precursors. Analytical techniques such as XRD, SEM, and TEM were employed to assess phase formation, composition, morphology, and microstructure. Electrochemical measurements, conducted via cyclic voltammetry at varying scan rates, were employed to evaluate the synthesized systems. Additionally, chronoamperometric studies were utilized to showcase reaction time and stability as a nano electrocatalyst for potential fuel cell applications. Electrical characterization involved examining the sample's behavior across a frequency spectrum ranging from 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz, at temperatures ranging from room temperature up to 300 ̊C. Valuable insights into the sample's catalytic properties are provided by studying the dynamics of charged particles using Jonscher's power law. To understand the conduction mechanism, scaling behavior has also been investigated by using Ghosh scaling formalism. This research contributes to the exploration of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts beyond traditional Pt catalysts, offering insights into the potential use of Nanostructured Nickel oxide (NiO) in fuel cell technology. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd