Bi-metallic boride electrocatalysts with enhanced activity for the oxygen evolution reaction

Rational design and understanding of the intrinsic mechanism are critical to develop highly active and durable electrocatalysts. In this study, a series of bi-metallic boride catalysts based on Ni and Co were prepared, and their activities were evaluated. The synthesised Co–10Ni–B catalyst exhibited excellent activity for water splitting in a 1 M KOH electrolyte. The overpotential was 330 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, better than previously reported mono-metallic borides and even IrO2. The synergistic effect of Co and Ni was proved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The facile formation of critical intermediates CoOOH and NiOOH during the catalytic processes and a significant increase in surface area owing to the introduction of a second metal into mono-metallic boride were attributed to the superior catalytic performance of catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. A Co–10Ni–B-sp catalyst with a higher surface area than the Co–10Ni–B catalyst was also synthesised to evaluate the effect of a high surface area on the catalytic activity. A lower overpotential of 310 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 was achieved.