Dual‐Phase Engineering of Nickel Boride‐Hydroxide Nanoparticles toward High‐Performance Water Oxidation Electrocatalysts

Abstract

The development of earth‐abundant and efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is necessary for green hydrogen production. The preparation of efficient OER electrocatalysts requires both the adsorption sites and charge transfer on the catalyst surface to be suitably engineered. Herein, the design of an electrocatalyst is reported with significantly enhanced water oxidation performance via dual‐phase engineering, which displays a high number of adsorption sites and facile charge transfer. More importantly, a simple chemical etching process enables the formation of a highly metallic transition boride phase in conjunction with the transition metal hydroxide phase with abundant adsorption sites available for the intermediates formed in the OER. In addition, computational simulations are carried out to demonstrate the water oxidation mechanism and the real active sites in this engineered material. This research provides a new material design strategy for the preparation of high‐performance OER electrocatalysts.

Computational atomic‐scale design and experimental verification for layered double hydroxide as an efficient alkaline oxygen evolution reaction catalyst

“…High‐resolution Ni 2p spectra demonstrate a single valence state of +2; however, Fe and Co exhibit a mixed‐valence state of +2, +3, and 2+ metallic states, respectively (Figure 9E‐G). 37‐40 The mixed‐valence states of Fe and Co may be suitable for efficient electrochemical redox reactions.…”

2D MBenes: A Novel Member in the Flatland

“…Moreover, surface oxidation will additionally affect MBenes' bioactivity. [56] Surface Pourbaix diagrams combined with the selectivity analysis revealed that several MBenes (CrB, MoB, or Mo 2 B) can resist surface oxidation, regardless of pH. [33] Further active tuning of MBenes' properties is crucial for their application in many fields.…”

Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Metal-Boride-Derived Two-Dimensional Nanostructures

“…Nickel boride nanostructures have also been shown to be very active in water oxidation by providing a large number of adsorption sites and facile charge transfer. The chemical etching process enables the formation of a metallic nickel boride decorated with hydroxide adsorption sites to stabilize intermediates formed in the OER reaction . Many other interesting catalytic phases and morphologies have been presented in the literature.…”

“…In this Perspective, we summarize the history, chemical bonding, and crystal structure of both bulk metal borides and the corresponding 2D nanostructures. ,− We emphasize various strategies proposed to synthesize metal-boride-derived 2D nanostructures and ultrathin films. − ,,,, We also present newly developed insights upon revisiting the chemistry of AlB 2 -type metal diborides. ,,,,, Synthetic challenges toward nanostructures of metal diborides, pseudo-metal diborides, MAB phases, and 2D MBenes are summarized and discussed in detail. ,,,,− Later, attention is drawn towards the effect of nanoscaling on catalytic, electrochemical, transport, optical, and mechanical properties. ,,,,,,,,,− Our emphasis is not only on the synthesis and properties, but also on diverse potential applications, such as energy storage in batteries, ,,− hydrogen storage and production, ,,,,− sensors, ,,− propellants, combustion and fuels, and biomedicine. , Finally, this Perspective summarizes and presents an outlook on the intriguing aspects, missing links, and some of the remaining challenges and opportunities in the field of metal-boride-derived 2D nanostru...…”