Enhancement in redox and electrocatalytic activity observed on Si ion-implanted Ni

Ni was surface-alloyed with Si by ion implantation. The material was examined for its redox and electrocatalytic behaviour in NaOH by cyclic voltammetry. The surface war characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray and electron diffraction, and electron and atomic force microscopy. The activity toward the redox conversion of Ni(OH)2 " NiOOH and the anodic oxidation of glucose was enhanced by ca. 3.5 times and ca. 2.8 times, respectively. The material is an amorphous mixed oxide of Ni and Si. The effect was discussed considering the true surface area and the generation of active surface sites in relation to the oxygen evolution.