Nickel-borate oxygen-evolving catalyst that functions under benign conditions

Abstract

Thin catalyst films with electrocatalytic water oxidation properties similar to those of a recently reported Co-based catalyst can be electrodeposited from dilute Ni²⁺solutions in borate electrolyte at pH 9.2 (B_i). The Ni-B_ifilms can be prepared with precise thickness control and operate at modest overpotential providing an alternative to the Co catalyst for applications in solar energy conversion.