Oxygen evolution on NiCo sub(2)O sub(4) electrodes

NiCo sub(2)O sub(4) was investigated as anode material for alkaline water electrolysis. This catalyst was prepared by thermal decomposition of metal salts and this rapid and simple technique gives reproducible results. A study of the preparation parameters shows that factors such as decomposition temperature, duration of the heat treatment and catalyst loading, determine the morphology of the oxide layer and so influence the performance of the catalyst. The conductivity of the oxide layer was found to change markedly with the final heat treatment. It is shown that alternative Teflon-bonded NiCo sub(2)O sub(4) electrode structures give approximately the same activity.