Phase selective synthesis of nickel silicide nanocrystals in molten salts for electrocatalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

We report phase selective synthesis of intermetallic nickel silicide nanocrystals in inorganic molten salts. NiSi and Ni₂Si nanocrystals are obtained by reacting a nickel(II) salt and sodium silicide Na₄Si₄ in the molten LiI–KI inorganic eutectic salt mixture. We report that nickel silicide nanocrystals are precursors to active electrocatalysts in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and may be low-cost alternatives to iridium-based electrocatalysts.