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Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
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Electronegativity-Modulated PtFeCoNiCu High-Entropy Alloy Catalysts for Efficient HER and OER
Fan Wang1, Shuhui Chen1, Zhi Tong1
1National Center for Materials Service Safety, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 29, 2025
Summary
High-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA NPs) offer enhanced electrocatalysis for hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen evolution (OER). This study synthesized PtFeNiCoX HEA NPs, demonstrating superior performance and stability for sustainable hydrogen production.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- High-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA NPs) are promising for electrocatalysis due to tunable electronic structures and synergistic effects.
- Optimizing multimetal catalysts for simultaneous hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize PtFeNiCoX HEA NPs using a transient high-temperature shock method (THTS) on carbonized wood (CW) substrates.
- To investigate the effect of electronegativity differences on HER and OER catalysis in HEA NPs.
- To develop a cost-effective and efficient electrocatalyst for sustainable hydrogen production.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PtFeNiCoX (X: Cu, Mo, Mn) HEA NPs via THTS.
- Utilizing carbonized wood (CW) as a self-supporting electrode substrate.
- Electrochemical characterization of HER and OER performance in alkaline media.
Main Results:
- Electronegativity differences in HEA NPs induced charge redistribution, creating high-activity Cu and Pt sites.
- These sites effectively stabilized intermediates for improved water dissociation.
- PtNiCoFeCu HEA NPs exhibited low overpotentials (10 mV for HER, 164 mV for OER) and high stability.
- Achieved 10 mA cm⁻² at 1.48 V for overall water splitting using the HEA NPs as both anode and cathode.
Conclusions:
- The THTS method provides a cost-effective route to synthesize efficient HEA NP electrocatalysts.
- Electronegativity-driven design is a viable strategy for optimizing dual HER/OER catalysts.
- These HEA NPs show significant potential for sustainable hydrogen generation via water electrolysis.
Keywords:
dual-function electrolytic waterelectronegativity-driven designhigh entropy alloy nanoparticleshigh-temperature shockmultisite synergistic catalysisMore Related Videos
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