Structural, electrical and electrochemical characterisation of Ni-Pr oxide thick films,

Oxides with metallic conductivity could and have been used instead of noble metals as insert electrodes in aqueous solutions as well as electrodes for high temperature fuel cells and electrolysers and as catalysts for the conversion of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. The aim of this paper is to report the results of a physico-chemical characterization (structure, morphology, electrochemical behaviour) of Ni-Pr oxides which have been proposed as electrode materials for high temperature fuel cells. The electrochemical characterization was carried out in aqueous solutions at room temperature and with solid electrolytes at high temperature. Evidence has been found in the former case for an oxide electrode type of behaviour. In the high temperature case, very low overvoltage values have been observed during cathodic oxygen reduction, while the electrode undergoes a reaction with oxygen during anodic oxygen evolution. © 1977 Chapman and Hall Ltd.