Measuring the electronic and structural changes of a NiFe-based electrocatalyst during the Oxygen evolution reaction in the presence of a ma

Magnetic fields have been shown to increase the efficiency of the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) of Ni and Fe-based electrocatalysts up to 40%. This offers the prospect of surpassing the efficiency of current benchmark electrocatalysts, which are based on noble metals. However, the mechanism of the magnetic enhancement is not well understood, and it is unknown if it has a catalytic origin, as predicted by numerous theoretical studies. Our electrochemical data on a NiFe-oxide suggest the magnetic field enables an alternative reaction mechanism due to the formation of new active species and a change in the oxidation state of the Ni and Fe. The goal of this proposal is to measure the oxidation state and structural changes occurring in the electrocatalyst under magnetic field control during the OER in alkaline media. We propose to perform in-situ XANES and EXAFS as a function of applied potential and magnetic field strength.