The Impact of Metal–Support Interaction on the Structure and Activity of Carbon-Supported Ni Nanoparticle Catalysts for Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction

The effect of the carbon supportKetjenblack (CKB) and Vulcan (CV)on the Ni/C catalyst properties toward alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) was investigated. Both Ni/CKB and Ni/CV presented improved catalytic activity with an increase in Ni particle size; however, Ni/CKB showed activity significantly higher than that of Ni/CV at the same particle size. The reason for the difference in the HOR activity due to the types of carbon support was revealed to be the difference in the 3D structure of Ni nanoparticles determined by metal–support interaction, which is changed by the surface structures of carbon supports. These findings bring light to the critical importance of the metal–support interaction in the development of the HOR catalysts.