The dual role of borohydride depending on reaction temperature: synthesis of iridium and iridium oxide

Temperature dependent reaction products are observed when borohydride is present in aqueous solutions containing Ir(3+). At temperatures of 40 °C and above, metallic iridium is formed while under ambient conditions of 25 °C, borohydride results in an alkaline environment that helps in hydrolyzing the precursor to form IrO2. The Ir foams and IrO2 are subsequently used to study their catalytic properties.