Facile synthesis of AuIr alloy nanoparticles and their enhanced oxygen evolution reaction performance under acidic and alkaline conditions.

ABSTRACT

The development of electrocatalysts that can maintain high reactivity and stability over a wide pH range during electrolysis reactions is essential for the realization of a clean hydrogen energy society. Herein, we report the synthesis of AuIr alloy nanoparticles (NPs) with an excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance over a wide pH range. The NPs were synthesized via an antisolvent crystallization-based method and maintained their small sizes regardless of adjustments in the ratio of the Au/Ir precursor. AuIr/C exhibited low overpotential and good long-term stability under acidic and alkaline conditions compared with the Ir/C and commercial RuO2. The enhanced OER performance of AuIr/C was attributed to efficient charge transfer, resulting in an optimal synergistic effect of electrons.