Electroless synthesis of nanostructured nickel and nickel-boron tubes and their performance as unsupported ethanol electrooxidation catalysts

► New electroless plating bath allows fabrication of pure Ni nanomaterials. ► Tubular Ni and Ni-B nanomaterials are obtained by metalization of hard templates. ► 1D Ni catalysts show clearly improved acitivities in ethanol electrooxidation. ► The presence of boron does not hamper the electrocatalytic activity.