Optimization of oxygen evolution performance with multi-component high entropy alloy catalyst

Abstract

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are excellent catalyst supports due to their large specific surface area, tunable morphology, and uniform distribution of metal ions. With their unique structural characteristics, HEAs can provide more catalytic active sites, thereby improving performance and stability and enhancing synergistic catalytic effects. In this context, researchers have successfully synthesized HEAs-FeNiCoCd catalysts using nickel foam as a substrate via a hydrothermal method. Using nickel foam as a substrate significantly enhances the catalyst's porosity. Observations reveal that the catalyst exhibits a nano-flower-like structure, featuring a large number of active sites and a vast specific surface area, thereby providing more reaction centers and significantly improving catalytic reaction rates and efficiency. The catalyst was tested in a series of experiments using 1 M KOH solution. In the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), at a current density of 10 mA·cm^-2, the overpotential was only 150.4 mV, and the Tafel slope was only 58.06 mV·dec^-1, with excellent stability. With its outstanding catalytic performance, stability, corrosion resistance, and low cost, the HEAs catalyst will play an important role in more fields.