NixB/Mo0.8B3 Nanorods Encapsulated by a Boron-Rich Amorphous Layer for Universal pH Water Splitting at the Ampere Level

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

2 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Madiha Rafiq
  • Karim Harrath
  • Meijun Feng
  • Rui Li
  • Abebe Reda Woldu
  • Liangsheng Hu
  • Fushen Lu
  • Xiangdong Yao

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number2402866
Journal / PublicationAdvanced Energy Materials
Volume14
Issue number45
Online published4 Oct 2024
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2024

Abstract

Heterostructured interfaces are crucial to electrocatalysts for water splitting. Herein, coral-like multiheterostructured NixB/Mo0.8B3 (NMB) nanorods encapsulated by a boron-rich amorphous layer are prepared for water splitting. Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the NMB interface adjusts the d-band center and electronic structure of the molybdenum sites. Owing to the strong electronic coupling between Ni, Mo, and B at the heterojunction, large number of exposed catalytic active sites, as well as the special hydrophilic characteristics endowed by the surrounding amorphous layer, the NMB catalyst exhibits remarkable universal-pH hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with low overpotentials (η) of 15, 26, and 83 mV to deliver 10 mA cm−2 in basic, acid, and neutral media, respectively, and outstanding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) characteristics in the basic medium with η10 and η500 of 170 and 420 mV, respectively. The unique self-supporting 3D hierarchical interconnected structure facilitates mass transport thus leading to high mechanical stability for 450 and 200 h in HER and OER at ≈1000 mA cm−2. More importantly, the NMB exhibits excellent performance toward overall-water electrolysis as a bifunctional catalyst with ultralow cell voltages of 1.45/1.56/1.85 V @ 10/100/1000 mA cm−2, demonstrating the large potential in industrial water splitting applications. © 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Research Area(s)

  • amorphous/crystalline heterostructures, hydrogen evolution reaction, hydrophilicity, overall water splitting, universal pH

Citation Format(s)

NixB/Mo0.8B3 Nanorods Encapsulated by a Boron-Rich Amorphous Layer for Universal pH Water Splitting at the Ampere Level. / Rafiq, Madiha; Harrath, Karim; Feng, Meijun et al.
In: Advanced Energy Materials, Vol. 14, No. 45, 2402866, 06.12.2024.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review