Abstract
Iron-nickel nanoparticles (Fe-Ni NPs) were successfully synthesized in various stoichiometries by using the inverse micelle method followed by combustion at 5008 degrees.C for 12 h in H-2. Ni-rich Fe-Ni NPs crystallize in a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure, whereas Fe-rich Fe-Ni NPs stabilize in body-centered cubic (bcc) structure. Fe-Ni NPs operate as bifunctional electrode materials at room temperature in alkaline medium and show enhanced electrocatalytic activity in the electrolysis of water to H-2 evolution and O-2 evolution reactions (HER and OER) at low onset potential versus Ag/AgCl as the reference electrode. A low Tafel slope was also detected for Fe2Ni NPs (ca. 470 mV/dec) in the water oxidation reaction. Bifunctional electrocatalysts are significant in renewable and clean energy processes like hydrogen- oxygen fuel cells, metal-oxygen batteries, and so forth.