Transition metal borides, carbides, pnictides, and chalcogenides, commonly referred to as Xides, have been emerging as a viable alternative for oxide-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It is still questionable, however, whether Xides act as true catalysts or whether they provide an especially stable support structure for catalytically active oxido- and hydroxido-species that can form via surface reconstruction under the harsh OER conditions (low or high pH values and oxidizing potentials). For example, we have recently conclusively demonstrated that AlFe2B2 acts as a very efficient OER pre-catalyst by undergoing surface reconstruction to create a shell of catalytically active Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Although this layered-structure boride does not act as the true catalyst, the importance of its underlying structure can be understood from the fact that the OER electrocatalysis is much less efficient when FeB is used as a pre-catalyst. Incited by these observations, we embarked on the study of other layered intermetallics as potential OER electrocatalysts. In this contribution, we report our recent findings on electrocatalytic activity of other Xides that belong to the broad class of layered intermetallics and discuss possible pathways for further elucidation of their catalytic action.

Layered intermetallics as promising (pre)catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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