Dataset of "Identification and understanding of activation procedures critical for nickel-based anodes in anion-exchange membrane fuel cell"

Anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) hold the promise of high-performance devices free of platinum-group metals. Towards this goal, the major current bottleneck is the moderate performance of nickel-based anodes. Metallic nickel is critical for hydrogen binding and electrocatalysis of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), but prone to passivation. Here we show that mainstream Ni-catalysts spontaneously passivate in ambient air, block the HOR, calling for activation protocols. In a three-electrode rotating-disk electrode setup, activation is readily accomplished by lowering the electrode potential. Galvanostatic and chemical activation strategies were explored in AEMFC, revealing the strong influence of O2 crossover from the cathode, which can re-passivate Ni. Chemical activation involving an initial H2/N2 feed at anode/cathode proved most practical, enabling high open-circuit voltage, power density and stability in subsequent H2/O2 and H2/air AEMFC measurements. A chemically-activated Ni@NC anode paired with a Pt/C cathode achieved the unprecedented AEMFC peak power density of 1.2 W·cm-2.