Ariel Friedman

Congratulations to Zuckerman Israeli Postdoctoral Scholar Ariel Friedman, Assistant Research Professor at the University of Connecticut, on the publication of Advanced Deposition Methods for Mixed Metal Alloys and Hydroxides as High-Performance Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction, in the May 2, 2025 issue of ACS Catalysis.

Professor Friedman and his colleagues have developed a new method to create a highly stable and efficient nickel–copper hydrogen catalyst by using a pH-controlled process that increases surface area and prevents corrosion, offering a promising solution for large-scale hydrogen production in alkaline systems.

Abstract:
Alkaline water and anion-exchange membrane electrolyzers are considered leading solutions for the large-scale production of hydrogen due to their lower capital costs. In recent years, numerous hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts have been developed, primarily by alloying nickel with other transition metals. Despite these advancements, stability remains a challenge due to the low intrinsic corrosion resistance of these alloys. In this work, we present an advanced synthesis method that incorporates an amorphous copper hydroxide phase within a nickel–copper alloy using a pH-trap mechanism.