Application of transition metal high entropy boride in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

For the growth of hydrogen energy, it is essential to create electrocatalysts that are affordable, effective, and stable. The transition metal high-entropy boride electrocatalyst is synthesized with the molten salt-assisted boron thermal reduction method. It discusses the influence of element composition, temperature, and the ratio of salt to material on electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The results show that WMoVNbMnB synthesized at the ratio of salt to material of 15:1 and sintering temperature of 1000 °C has nano-flake structure. The overpotential at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at 1 M KOH is as low as 115 mV, with the Tafel slope of 92 mV·dec−1. According to theoretical study, the transition metals (V, Mo, and Mn) are a considerable contributor to the electron around the Fermi level. Under the synergistic effect of multiple components, the V 3d orbit possesses excellent polarization, which thus improves the migration ability of the carrier. In the process of water decomposition, WMoVNbMnB electrocatalyst only needs to cross the 0.24 eV energy barrier to successfully dissociation, with the excellent properties of a glass carbon catalyst. It offers a workable reference for creating water electrolysis technology because of its highly effective catalytic activity.