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Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
High-Entropy Single Atom Catalysts Anchored on Flexible Carbon Fibers for Enhanced Bifunctional Oxygen Catalysis
Zhe Lu1, Zhe Wang1, Qitong Ye2
1College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
Abstract:
High-entropy single atom (SA) catalysts (HESACs) represent a paradigm shift in electrocatalyst design, yet precise structural control and mechanistic understanding remain key challenges. Here, we report a porous carbon fiber-supported HESAC (ZnCoNiCuFe@PCF) that synergistically integrates five atomically dispersed M-N4 sites (M = Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe) and Co6/Fe5 nanoclusters, creating unprecedented electronic interactions and maximizing high-entropy synergy. As a result, ZnCoNiCuFe@PCF exhibits outstanding bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for both oxygen reduction (oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER), outperforming the benchmark Pt/C and RuO2 catalysts. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the unique combination of high-entropy atom sites and nanoclusters facilitates charge redistribution and optimizes the adsorption of key intermediates (OH*, O*), thereby accelerating the rate-limiting steps of ORR/OER. When deployed as the cathode in a zinc-air battery (ZAB), the catalyst delivers a peak power density of 240.9 mW cm-2 and exceptional cycling stability of over 2600 h (7800 cycles). This work provides fundamental insights into the rational design of HESACs by leveraging high-entropy and heterojunction effects, offering a robust platform for next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies.
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