Mixed metal oxide aerogels for electrolyzers

Abstract

The technology generally concerns novel aerogels of mixed metal oxides and uses thereof as electrocatalysts.

1 .- 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . An electrocatalyst in a form of an aerogel consisting NiFeMO n , wherein M is optionally present and is a metal different from Fe and Ni; and wherein n is between 1 and 4. 
     
     
         54 . The electrocatalyst according to  claim 53 , wherein M is absent, and the aerogel consists NiFeO n . 
     
     
         55 . The electrocatalyst according to  claim 53 , wherein M is absent and the aerogel consists of NiFeO n , NiFeOOH, or NiFeOH, wherein the molar amount of Fe relative to Ni is not greater than 20%, and wherein n is between 1 and 4. 
     
     
         56 . The electrocatalyst according to  claim 53 , wherein M is present. 
     
     
         57 . The electrocatalyst according to  claim 53 , wherein M is present and the aerogel consists NiFeMOH, NiFeMO n  or NiFeMOOH, wherein M is a metal and wherein n is 1 or 2. 
     
     
         58 . The electrocatalyst according to  claim 53 , wherein M is a metal selected amongst transition metals and non-transition metals. 
     
     
         59 . The electrocatalyst according to  claim 53 , wherein the aerogel consists of NiFeMOH, NiFeMO n  or NiFeMOOH, wherein M is Ti, Mo or Co, and wherein n is 1 or 2. 
     
     
         60 . A powder electrocatalyst aerogel comprising or consisting of NiFeMOOH, NiFeMO n  or NiFeMOH, wherein M is a metal optionally present, and wherein n is between 1 and 4. 
     
     
         61 . An electrocatalyst film of an aerogel comprising or consisting a material of the form NiFeMOH, NiFeMO n  or NiFeMOOH, wherein M is a metal optionally present, and wherein n is 1 or 2. 
     
     
         62 . An aerogel consisting NiFeMO n , wherein M is a metal different from Fe and Ni; and wherein n is between 1 and 4. 
     
     
         63 . The aerogel according to  claim 62 , being a hierarchical structure composed of micro-pores, meso-pores and macro-pores. 
     
     
         64 . The aerogel according to  claim 62 , having a porosity of about 60 percent or more and a specific surface area of at least 60 m 2 /g or more. 
     
     
         65 . A method for making an aerogel according to  claim 53 , the method comprising:
 forming or obtaining a gel of at least one Ni salt/complex, at least one Fe salt/complex, optionally at least one salt/complex of a metal M, at least one precursor of a gelation material and a solvent under conditions permitting formation of a network of interconnected pores, said pores comprising the solvent; and   removing the solvent under drying conditions to form the aerogel without causing contraction of the interconnected pores.   
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 65 , wherein the drying conditions are supercritical conditions. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 65 , wherein each of the at least one Ni salt/complex and the at least one Fe salt/complex is provided in an amount sufficient to provide an aerogel wherein the molar amount of Fe relative to Ni is not greater than 20%. 
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 65 , wherein the conditions permitting formation of a network of interconnected pores comprises stirring at room temperature (15-33° C.). 
     
     
         69 . An electrode material comprising or consisting an aerogel according to  claim 62 . 
     
     
         70 . An electrolyzer implementing an electrode of an electrode material according to  claim 69 . 
     
     
         71 . An electrocatalytic device comprising a porous electrode material according to  claim 69 , wherein the device performs an electrocatalytic process. 
     
     
         72 . The device according to  claim 71 , for generating oxygen, wherein the electrocatalyst in an aerogel form comprises or consists NiFeOOH, NiFeO n , NiFeOH, NiFeCoOOH, NiFeCoOH, NiFeTiOOH, NiFeTiOH, NiFeMOH and NiFeMOOH, wherein M is a metal different from Ni, Fe, Co and Ti and wherein n is 1 or 2.