Comparative study of nanocrystalline Ti2RuFe and Ti2RuFeO2 electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution in long-term chlorate electrolysis conditions

Ti2RuFe and Ti2RuFeO2 nanocrystalline alloys were prepared by high energy b all-milling and used as cathodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in the process of sodium chlorate synthesis. Ti2RuFe is almost single phase with the B2 structure. In contrast, Ti2RuFeO2 is made of a mixture of Ti2R uFe and TiOx phases. Tests in chlorate electrolysis conditions did not show any sign of degradation of Ti2RuFeO2 over a 300 h period, while Ti2RuFe br eaks down after less than 100 h. The degradation of Ti2RuFe occurs because of hydrogen absorption and desorption during alternating hydrogen discharge and open-circuit conditions. Various hypotheses to explain the increase st ability of the O containing alloy are considered.