Cobalt nickel boride nanocomposite as high-performance anode catalyst for direct borohydride fuel cell.

Similar to MXene, MAB is a group of 2D ceramic/metallic boride materials which exhibits unique properties for various applications. However, these 2D sheets tend to stack and therefore lose their active surface area and functions. Herein, an amorphous cobalt nickel boride (Co–Ni–B) nanocomposite is prepared with a combination of 2D sheets and nanoparticles in the center to avoid agglomeration. This unique structure holds the 2D nano-sheets with massive surface area which contains numerous catalytic active sites. This nanocomposite is prepared as an electrocatalyst for borohydride electrooxidation reaction (BOR). It shows outstanding catalytic activity through improving the kinetic parameters of BH 4 − oxidation, owing to abundant ultrathin 2D structure on the surface, which provide free interspace and electroactive sites for charge/mass transport. The anode catalyst led to a 209 mW/cm2 maximum power density with high open circuit potential of 1.06 V at room temperature in a miniature direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC). It also showed a great longevity of up to 45 h at an output power density of 64 mW/cm2, which is higher than the Co–B, Ni–B and PtRu/C. The cost reduction and prospective scale-up production of the Co–Ni–B catalyst are also addressed. [Display omitted] • DBFC with Co–Ni–B nanocomposite as anode catalyst exhibited P max = 209 mW/cm2 which is over twice higher than PtRu/C. • MXene-like structure enhanced the exposure of active metallic species and the mass transfer. • The assembled DBFC has good stability of retaining 91.2% of the output voltage after 45 h. • The narrow band gap of Co–Ni–B nanocomposite urges the charge transfer kinetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]