Effective electrochemical ozone production coupled with hydrogen evolution reaction by synergistic effect of PtCo alloy and borides

Platinum-based electrocatalysts exhibited good performance in electrocatalytic ozone production (EOP) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Nonetheless, the widespread application of platinum is restricted due to its limited availability and high cost. In this study, we propose an alloying strategy for the synthesis of PtCo/Co₂B, which achieved a Faraday efficiency (FE) of 9.09 % for EOP and overpotential of 51.5 mV for HER at 10 mA⋅cm⁻² in acidic conditions. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the synergy between the PtCo and Co₂B in PtCo/Co₂B modulates the adsorption properties of the O₃* intermediate, thereby facilitating the reaction towards the EOP. Furthermore, the chemisorption energy of hydrogen is approximately zero, indicating optimal electrocatalytic activity for HER. Such unique structure enhances the performance of electrocatalyst and significantly extends its durability in practical applications. In addition to its electrochemical performance, the PtCo/Co₂B electrocatalyst effectively degrades organic pollutants and demonstrates strong sterilization capabilities.