FeCoNiB@Boron-doped vertically aligned graphene arrays: A self-supported electrocatalyst for overall water splitting in a wide pH range

The development of efficient, cost-effective, bifunctional and self-supported electrocatalysts for overall water splitting in a wide pH range is highly desirable. A novel and highly efficient electrocatalyst for overall water splitting in a wide pH range was synthesized via the electroless plating of FeCoNiB alloy nanoparticles on B-doped vertically aligned graphene arrays (FeCoNiB@B-VG). FeCoNiB@B-VG exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performances with a low overpotential of 31 mV in 1.0 M KOH and 148 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and an overpotential of 387 mV in 1.0 M KOH for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It also exhibited a quite low Tafel slope value of 30 mV dec(-1) and 51 mV dec(-1) for HER and OER in 1.0 M KOH respectively. In addition, FeCoNiB@B-VG also exhibited good long-term stabilities in acidic and alkaline electrolytes as a self-supported bifunctional electrocatalyst. This work may provide theoretical and technical support for design of cost-effective bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting in a wide pH range. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A novel and highly efficient electrocatalyst FeCoNiB@B-VG for overall water splitting in a wide pH range was synthesized, showing excellent performance and stability. This work may provide theoretical and technical support for the design of cost-effective bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting.