Catalytic activities of Ni-decorated boron particles

• Published in: Materials & design Vol. 125; pp. 205 - 212
• Main Authors: Jung, Hye Jin, Nam, Kyusuk, Lee, Jisuk, Han, Doo-Hee, Sung, Hong-Gye, Hyun, Hyung Soo, Sohn, Youngku, Shin, Weon Gyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 05-07-2017
• Subjects: Ball-milling; Boron; CO oxidation; Hydrogen evolution; Ni-decoration; Oxygen evolution; Oxygen evolution; Boron; Ni-decoration; Ball-milling; CO oxidation; Hydrogen evolution
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2017.03.086

Ni-decorated boron (Ni/B) particles were prepared by a ball-milling method, and their physicochemical properties were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) elemental mapping, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Upon decoration by Ni, the previously inactive boron particles showed enhanced activity in CO oxidation and photoelectrochemical hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions (HERs/OERs). The CO oxidation onset and T10% were observed around 320 and 350°C, respectively. In preliminary tests, the Ni/B (1:3 w/w) sample showed UV and visible light current responses, and current densities of 600 and 240μA/cm2 were observed at a potential of 500mV for HER and OER, respectively. The present study emphasizes the potential application of boron as a catalyst support material for air quality control and photoelectrochemical hydrogen/oxygen evolution.
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•Ni-decorated boron (Ni/B) particles were prepared by a ball-milling method.•B particles showed enhanced activity in CO oxidation upon Ni-decoration.•Ni/B particles showed photoelectrochemical hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions.