PtM/M_x B_y (M=Ni, Co, Fe) Heterostructured Nanobundles as Advanced Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Optimizing the electronic and synergistic effect of hybrid electrocatalysts based on Pt and Pt-based nanocatalysts is of tremendous importance towards a superior hydrogen evolution performance under both acidic and alkaline conditions. However, developing an ideal Pt-based hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst with moderated electronic structure as well as strong synergistic effect is still a challenge. Herein, we fabricated boron (B)-doped PtNi nanobundles by a two-step method using NaBH₄ as the boron source to obtain PtNi/Ni₄ B₃ heterostructures with well-defined nanointerfaces between PtNi and Ni₄ B₃ , achieving an enhanced catalytic HER performance. Especially, the PtNi/Ni₄ B₃ nanobundles (PtNi/Ni₄ B₃ NBs) can deliver a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 at the overpotential of 14.6 and 26.5 mV under alkaline and acidic media, respectively, as well as outstanding electrochemical stability over 40 h at the current density of 10 mA cm^-2 . Remarkably, this approach is also universal for the syntheses of PtCo/Co₃ B and PtFe/Fe₄₉ B with outstanding electrocatalytic HER performance.