PtNi and CoNi film electrocatalysts prepared by MOCVD for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

CoNi and PtNi film electrocatalysts were prepared by Metal-Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) and their electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.5 M KOH was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and Rotating Disk Electrode techniques. Experiments included working electrodes of Co, Ni and Pt prepared also by MOCVD for comparison. The film electrocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electronic Microscopy and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Films thickness was about 200-250 nm and nanocrystallites were found in the range of 12 to 30 nm. In the same experimental conditions, the overpotential for the ORR at a current density of 1 mA cm-2 for PtNi film was 120 mV lower than the overpotential of Pt film electrocatalyst, and an enhanced activity was observed on PtNi with respect to Pt. The electrochemical response for the oxygen reduction reaction on CoNi film was higher than those of elemental Ni and Co films obtained by MOCVD. A good stability was obtained in a chronoamperometry test for the PtNi electrode, only affected by oxygen flow variations.