The effect of electrolyte alkali metal cations (Li+, Na+, orK+) on the electro-oxidation of urea and benzyl alcohol
on NiOOH catalyst has been investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry in the presence
of an electrolyte containing LiOH, NaOH, or KOH. The catalytic activity toward the electro-oxidation of
urea and benzyl alcohol was found to increase in the sequence Li+ b Na+ b K+. This activity's difference is partly
caused by different surface blockage abilities by OH–M+(H2O)x (M: Li, Na, K) clusters, which is similar to many
electrocatalytic reactions on Pt reported previously, additionally, incorporation of various cations to the catalyst
may induce the activities difference as well.