{"title":"Bifunctional Electrocatalysis of Copper-Doped Cerium Oxide Nanocage Networks Enabling HER and OER","authors":"Prabin Kumar Joshi, Sabina Dahal, Raj Kumar Rai, Ganesh Bhandari, Gopi Chandra Kaphle, Dasu Ram Paudel","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00961-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00961-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>An advanced water electrolysis process that generates clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel offers a scalable solution for storing abundant but intermittent energy from renewable sources by converting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electric current, facilitating the integration of renewable energy into practical applications. Moreover, synthesis of sustainable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesizing nanomaterials is correspondingly crucial for advancing water-splitting technology. This study introduces a green synthesis approach for Cu-doped CeO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles using plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. A 3D nanocage network of Cu-CeO<sub>2</sub> electrocatalyst exhibits featured electrochemical performances for HER and arduous OER significantly lowering the overpotential due to the reduced reaction barrier, lower resistance, and accelerated charge transfer process. The Cu-doped CeO<sub>2</sub> exhibits lower overpotentials of 142 mV and 166 mV at current densities of 50 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> and 100 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>, respectively, and a Tafel slope of 58.8 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>, indicating superior catalytic activity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the Cu doping on the CeO<sub>2</sub> matrix increases the rate of H<sub>2</sub>O adsorption during water-splitting reaction due to the introduction of Cu-3d orbitals near the Fermi level (<i>E</i><sub>F</sub>), which enhances charge carrier density. Overall, Cu-doped CeO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles demonstrate enhanced performance for green hydrogen production as an energy vector, while the green synthesis method offers a sustainable, low-impact alternative for producing high-performance nanomaterials.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 5","pages":"844 - 855"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145166776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ElectrocatalysisPub Date : 2025-05-17DOI: 10.1007/s12678-025-00960-8
Zewei Lin, Zhihua Tao, Yuxuan Huang, Jihua Zhang
{"title":"Tween Compounds as Eco-Friendly Suppressors for Acid Copper Electroplating Applications of Microvia","authors":"Zewei Lin, Zhihua Tao, Yuxuan Huang, Jihua Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00960-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00960-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Tween (TW) compounds, on account of their environmentally benign and non-toxic characteristics, were systematically studied as prospective eco-friendly suppressants in the process of copper plating for blind hole filling. The synergistic effects between TW and other additives were verified by means of chronopotentiometry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The outcomes of the electrochemical tests revealed that the competitive adsorption behavior between bis-(3-sulfopropyl) disulfide (SPS) and TW is contingent upon the current density and the intensity of convection. Metallographic section analysis demonstrated that TW exhibits outstanding microvia filling capabilities for micro blind vias with a diameter of 150 µm and a depth of 80 µm. Notably, TW-80 was able to attain a filling rate of 96.15% following electrodeposition for 60 min at a current density of 2 A/dm<sup>2</sup>. Quantum chemical calculations suggested that the relatively smaller band gap and the clustered molecular structure of TW-80 are more conducive to its adsorption onto the electrode surface, leading to the formation of a barrier layer, which in turn restrains the deposition of copper.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 5","pages":"828 - 843"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145166982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Electrochemically Modified Sensor Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide–Molybdenum Disulfide–Doped Poly(p-Aminobenzene Sulfonic Acid) Nanocomposite Film for the Detection of Morphine","authors":"Pinky Abraham, Renjini Sadhana, Pavitha Pushpakaran Anitha, Akhilash Mohanan Pillai","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00957-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00957-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The present study explores the potential of molybdenum disulfide–reduced graphene oxide/poly(p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid) (MoS<sub>2</sub>-rGO/poly(p-ABSA)) for the detection of morphine (MO). The developed nanocomposites have an interconnected 3D network structure, in which the organic conducting polymer poly(p-ABSA) forms a uniform coating over the surface of the MoS<sub>2</sub>-rGO composite. The composite film synthesis has been optimized to improve the electrocatalytic behavior of the developed sensor. The synergetic effect of MoS<sub>2</sub>-rGO and poly(p-ABSA) composites contributed towards the excellent electrocatalytic activity of the developed sensor against MO. A low detection limit of 76 nM with a good regression between MO concentration and peak currents (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99) has been achieved within the range of 50 nM to 30 µM. The fabricated sensor was successfully employed to determine MO in real samples and the results showed that it exhibited better reliability for real samples assay. Further, the potential of MoS<sub>2</sub>-rGO/poly(p-ABSA)-based sensor as a commendable electrochemical sensing platform for simple and sensitive detection of various analytes has also been proposed.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 5","pages":"815 - 827"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145165965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ElectrocatalysisPub Date : 2025-05-10DOI: 10.1007/s12678-025-00959-1
Alannisse M. Santos-Rivera, Joshua A. Ortiz-Fernandez, Juan A. Santana
{"title":"Unraveling Dopant Site Preferences in Transition Metal-Doped ZnO: Implications for Electrocatalytic Applications","authors":"Alannisse M. Santos-Rivera, Joshua A. Ortiz-Fernandez, Juan A. Santana","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00959-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00959-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Dopant positioning within metal oxide lattices has a significant influence on catalytic performance, yet it remains underexplored in many transition metal-doped systems. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, this study demonstrates that cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) dopants preferentially integrate into the bulk of the ZnO lattice, thereby limiting their availability at active surface sites critical for efficient oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions. The results also indicate that hydroxyl coordination effectively stabilizes these dopants at the surface, enhancing overall catalytic activity. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring dopant location to optimize reaction kinetics in electrocatalytic applications, laying the groundwork for experimental validation through in situ techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 5","pages":"808 - 814"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145164420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ElectrocatalysisPub Date : 2025-05-09DOI: 10.1007/s12678-025-00958-2
Madis Lüsi, Heiki Erikson, Helle-Mai Piirsoo, Arvo Kikas, Vambola Kisand, Kaupo Kukli, Kaido Tammeveski
{"title":"Preparation of NiMnFeOx Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction Using Galvanic Exchange","authors":"Madis Lüsi, Heiki Erikson, Helle-Mai Piirsoo, Arvo Kikas, Vambola Kisand, Kaupo Kukli, Kaido Tammeveski","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00958-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00958-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this work, NiMnFe oxide catalyst materials were prepared by electrodeposition for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline solution. Incorporation of Fe into these catalyst structures was carried out using galvanic replacement of Mn within the electrodeposited NiMn alloy to produce more surface Fe sites, which led to the leaching of Mn from the NiMn alloy, resulting in surface defects. The electrocatalysts were studied by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). They were electrochemically characterized for OER by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. SEM–EDX demonstrated an increase in Fe content in the catalyst due to the galvanic exchange and the incorporation of Fe from the KOH solution onto the Ni disc. XPS showed that after OER experiments, the surface is highly oxidized, dominated by Fe<sup>3+</sup> and Ni<sup>3+</sup> species. During the OER studies in 1 M KOH, the NiMnFe material demonstrated an overpotential of 321 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> and a Tafel slope of 41 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>, showing a 15 mV overpotential improvement over the bare Ni disc. The difference of the overpotential grew to 24 mV when moving to an OER current density of 100 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><p>Textual Abstract</p><p>NiMn was electrodeposited on Ni discs. Employing galvanic exchange of Mn by Fe on electrodeposited NiMn film led to a 42 mV oxygen evolution reaction overpotential decrease at a current density of 100 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>. An overpotential of 368 mV was observed for the best-performing material, achieved through the galvanic exchange.</p>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 5","pages":"799 - 807"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145163366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ElectrocatalysisPub Date : 2025-05-09DOI: 10.1007/s12678-025-00956-4
Marius Alexandru Mihai, Loredana Preda, Catalin Negrila, Simona Somacescu, Nicolae Dan Becherescu, Alin Velea, Mohamed Yassine Zaki, Nicolae Spataru
{"title":"Thermally Interpenetrated Co–Ni Mixed Oxide as Efficient Oxygen Evolution Electrodes","authors":"Marius Alexandru Mihai, Loredana Preda, Catalin Negrila, Simona Somacescu, Nicolae Dan Becherescu, Alin Velea, Mohamed Yassine Zaki, Nicolae Spataru","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00956-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00956-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Electrochemical water splitting is regarded as a viable solution to future energy demands. Considering this, an innovative method to produce efficient oxygen evolution electrodes based on Co and Ni was proposed and successfully developed, where the metal atoms are intimately mixed before the calcination treatment. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated the high oxygen evolution activity and stability of the thus synthesized electrodes, EDX, and XPS revealing that the surface exhibits a remarkable oxidation resistance, allowing the active phase to better maintain its state when subjected to the aggressive positive potential required for oxygen evolution. Moreover, low electrical resistivity was recorded as a result of reduced thickness of the catalytic layer, further increasing the efficiency. These findings provide new insights into the design of durable and high-performance OER electrodes.</p>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 4","pages":"758 - 771"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145164243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ElectrocatalysisPub Date : 2025-05-07DOI: 10.1007/s12678-025-00955-5
Muhaned Mohammed Eteya, Behjat Deiminiat
{"title":"Gold Digital Video Disc Platform Modified with Graphitic Carbon Nitride Decorated Au–Pt Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Oxidation of Methanol","authors":"Muhaned Mohammed Eteya, Behjat Deiminiat","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00955-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00955-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Herein, for the first time, a gold digital video disc (GDVD) platform was modified layer by layer with the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) nanosheets and gold-platinum nanoparticles (Au–PtNPs), and it was used as an efficient nanocatalyst for the electrocatalytic oxidation of the methanol molecules. The graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets were synthesized through the pyrolysis method, and they were employed as a substrate for the distribution of the Au–PtNPs. The change in the electrochemical behavior of the GDVD surface was investigated in each modification step. The electrocatalytic oxidation of the methanol molecules at the surface of different modified GDVDs was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry techniques. The experimental results indicated that the Au–Pt/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/GDVD has a higher electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of methanol under the optimized experimental conditions in comparison with the other studied GDVDs. The kinetic study of the electro-oxidation of methanol was also investigated, and the exchange current density (<i>J</i><sub>0</sub>) values revealed a better kinetic in the presence of graphitic carbon nitride and Au–PtNPs.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 4","pages":"749 - 757"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145163417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ElectrocatalysisPub Date : 2025-04-24DOI: 10.1007/s12678-025-00950-w
Soumaya Gouadria, F. F. Alharbi, Muhammad Abdullah, Salma Aman, Tehreem Zahra, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Farid
{"title":"Facile Development of Perovskite/g-C3N4 Nanohybrid as Advance Electrode Materials for Supercapacitor","authors":"Soumaya Gouadria, F. F. Alharbi, Muhammad Abdullah, Salma Aman, Tehreem Zahra, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Farid","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00950-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00950-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>New energy storing technologies must be developed immediately because of the serious issues brought by global energy crisis. For supercapacitor applications, the development of effective, stable and sustainable electrode materials with high specific capacitance (C<sub>sp</sub>) is necessary. The current investigation highlights the use of CoMoO<sub>3</sub>/g-CN electrode materials to enhance supercapacitive properties. The physical and chemical properties hydrothermally developed materials were studied utilising a number of characterisation test. In 3 M KOH solution, electrochemical characteristics of produced electrode materials were observed by galvanostatic charge and discharge (GCD) analysis and cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical results exposed that CoMoO<sub>3</sub>/g-CN nanocomposite exhibited specific capacitance of 964.93 F/g, specific energy (S<sub>E</sub>) 44.09 Wh/kg and specific power (S<sub>P</sub>) 288.15 W/kg at current density (C<sub>d</sub>) 1 A/g. Furthermore, after 3000th cycles, the material exhibits superior cyclic stability compared to the pure material and reduced charge transfer resistance of 0.13 Ω. Addition of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) caused high specific capacitance, quick charging discharging and stability of active electrode material, attributed to bigger surface area and excellent electrical conductivity. Moreover, N-enrich structure of g-CN caused a quick ion transport and higher specific surface area. These results demonstrated that advanced CoMoO<sub>3</sub>/g-CN can be applied to next-generation supercapacitors.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 4","pages":"738 - 748"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145168856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ElectrocatalysisPub Date : 2025-04-24DOI: 10.1007/s12678-025-00954-6
Kaique Soares Souza, Juliana Midori Toia Katayama Sasso, Jocely de Lucena Dutra, Andreza Miranda Barata da Silva, Joel dos Santos Batista, Maria Aparecida Viana Pinheiro, Francisco Martins de Oliveira Neto, Edward Ralph Dockal, Fernando Armani Aguiar, Eduardo Guilherme Cividini Neiva, Elson Almeida Souza, José Wilmo da Cruz Júnior, Paulo José Sousa Maia
{"title":"Salophen-Type Schiff Base Ru(III) Complex as Co-catalyst with PtSn/C in Ethanol Electro-oxidation","authors":"Kaique Soares Souza, Juliana Midori Toia Katayama Sasso, Jocely de Lucena Dutra, Andreza Miranda Barata da Silva, Joel dos Santos Batista, Maria Aparecida Viana Pinheiro, Francisco Martins de Oliveira Neto, Edward Ralph Dockal, Fernando Armani Aguiar, Eduardo Guilherme Cividini Neiva, Elson Almeida Souza, José Wilmo da Cruz Júnior, Paulo José Sousa Maia","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00954-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00954-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study explored the potential for performance enhancement using a Ru(III) salophen-type Schiff base complex as a co-catalyst in conjunction with PtSn/C for ethanol electro-oxidation. This type of compound is recognized as a cost-effective synthetic catalyst for oxidation reactions, which can improve the electrocatalytic activity of platinum-based catalysts while remaining less expensive. The ligand and complex were synthesized and characterized using various techniques, including FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Electrocatalytic experiments revealed that the mixed catalyst PtSn/C:[Ru(ndsp)(Cl)(H₂O)] at a mass ratio of 4:1—comprising 20% of the catalyst mass—outperformed pure PtSn/C. It achieved a peak current density of 32.5 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, approximately 1.7 times higher than that of pure PtSn/C, and the onset potential for the ethanol oxidation reaction occurred at a less positive value. Maximum catalytic efficiency was observed at a pH of 0.3 and increased with higher ethanol concentrations. These results indicate that the addition of the Ru(III) complex significantly enhances the catalytic activity of PtSn/C, making it a promising and cost-effective candidate catalyst system for direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) applications.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 4","pages":"726 - 737"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145168392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ElectrocatalysisPub Date : 2025-04-23DOI: 10.1007/s12678-025-00953-7
Naveen Kumar Verma, Rahul Gupta, Nishith Verma
{"title":"Carbon-Supported Noble Metal-Free High-Entropy Alloy: A New Synthesis Approach and Application to Hydrogen Evolution Reaction","authors":"Naveen Kumar Verma, Rahul Gupta, Nishith Verma","doi":"10.1007/s12678-025-00953-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12678-025-00953-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted significant interest because of the materials structural and thermal stabilities, tailorable compositions, and unique functional properties. The present study synthesizes for the first time a noble metals-free HEA of Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, and Co (CFZNC) supported on activated carbon powder (ACP) by the suspension polymerization of a phenol–formaldehyde precursor, followed by thermal treatment (carbonization, steam-activation, and H<sub>2</sub>-reduction), and ball milling. Metal salts were in situ added to the polymerization reaction mixture. The electrochemical activity tests reveal a good hydrogen evolution rate (169 μmol.L<sup>−1</sup>.h<sup>−1</sup>) over the synthesized CFZNC-HEA/ACP, with an overpotential of 139 mV at the current density of 10 mA.cm<sup>−2</sup> in alkaline medium. The tests also show the Faradaic efficiency of 90.5% and the materials stability up to 30 h. This study has provided a new approach to synthesize the non-noble metals-based HEA in bulk quantity as an efficient electroctalyst for environmental and energy applications including hydrogen storage, and carbon dioxide and nitrate reductions.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":535,"journal":{"name":"Electrocatalysis","volume":"16 4","pages":"713 - 725"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145167936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}