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Abstract An electrocatalyst decorated with nickel oxide nanoflower and borophene (PdNiONF/B) has been presented as a possible catalyst for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline media. The crystal microstructure, composition, and morphology of the product were analyzed by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). The catalytic activity of the PdNiONF/B for ethanol electrooxidation was assessed by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. PdNiONF/B shows a high current at 0.12 mA as compared to palladium on carbon (Pd/C) and palladium on borophene (Pd/B) in 2 M of NaOH+ 2 M of EtOH. In addition, PdNiONF/B is stable and more tolerant of impurities. This observation suggests that PdNiONF/B possesses a better catalytic behavior. The ratio of the backward peak current (Ibwd) to the forward peak current (Ifwd) (Ibwd/Ifwd) in a 2 M of NaOH+2 M of EtOH is equal to (Ibwd/Ifwd) 1.0 V vs. Ag|AgCl for PdNiONF/B catalyst. This ratio indicates that PdNiONF/B has an excellent tolerance to ethanol intermediate species poisoning.

Phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes are an important class of dyes with numerous (e.g., biological, photophysical, and analytical) applications. Among the methods used to improve the properties of these complexes, one should mention the introduction of different substituents, variation of the central metal ion, ligand exchange, and conjugation to nanomaterials (e.g., carbon-based nanomaterials and metal nanoparticles (NPs)). This work briefly reviews Pc complex conjugation to Ag and Au NPs, highlights the different NP shapes, and discusses the diversity of conjugation approaches. Moreover, the use of UV–Vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to characterize Pc-NP hybrids is summarized. The effect of conjugation on Pc photo-physicochemical properties (fluorescence, singlet oxygen generation, triplet state formation, and optical limiting behavior) is discussed, and future perspectives for the synthesis and applications of new hybrids are provided.