Enhancement of Catalytic Activity via Inevitable Reconstruction of the Ni-Mo Interface for Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation.

The inevitable oxidation of nickel-metal-based catalysts exposed to the air will lead to instability and poor reproducibility of a catalytic interface, which is usually ignored and greatly hinders their application for the catalysis of alkaline hydrogen oxidation. The details on the formation of a world-class nickel-based HOR catalyst Ni-MoO/C-500 are reported via an interfacial reconstruction triggered by passive oxidation upon air exposure. Interfacial reconstruction, initiated with various Ni-Mo metal ratios and annealing temperature, can fine-tune the Ni-Mo interface with an increased work function and a reduced d-band center.