Crystal phase-selective synthesis of intermetallic palladium borides and their phase-regulated (electro)catalytic properties

Three crystal phases of Pd–B intermetallics, namely, Pd6B, Pd5B2 and Pd2B, are synthesized, and their phase-dependent catalytic activities toward electrochemical water splitting and Suzuki coupling reactions are studied. In both reactions, their catalytic activities are found to increase in the order Pd, Pd6B, Pd5B2 and Pd2B. This activity trend is strongly associated with the Pd(d)–B(s,p) orbital hybridization-regulated surface adsorption properties.