FeCoCuMnRuB Nanobox with Dual Driving of High-Entropy and Electron-Trap Effects as the Efficient Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

Abstract

High-entropy borides hold potential as electrocatalysts for water oxidation. However, the synthesis of the tailored nanostructures remains a challenge due to the thermodynamic immiscibility of polymetallic components. Herein, a FeCoCuMn-RuB nanobox decorated with a nanosheet array was synthesized for the first time by a "coordination-etch-reduction" method. The FeCoCuMnRuB nanobox has various structural characteristics to express the catalytic performance; meanwhile, it combines the high-entropy effect of multiple components with the electron trap effect induced by electron-deficient B, synergistically regulating its electronic structure. As a result, FeCoCuMnRuB nanobox exhibits enhanced OER activity with a low overpotential (η 10 = 233 mV), high TOF value (0.0539 s −1 ), small Tafel slope (61 mV/dec), and a satisfactory stability for 200 h, outperforming the high-entropy alloy and low-entropy borides. This work develops a high entropy and electron-deficient B-driven strategy for motivating the catalytic performance of water oxidation, which broadens the structural diversity and category of high-entropy materials.

Mapping current high-entropy materials for water electrolysis: from noble metal to transition metal

“…Using Cu 2 O nanocubes as sacrificial templates, the “coordination–etch–reduction” method was applied to prepare high-entropy boride, which is the sheet-like FeCoCuMnRuB nanobox. 197 The special morphology, easy evolution of high-valence M III –OOH and the high-entropy effect would ensure the availability of active sites and circumvent the “traffic jam” phenomenon caused by different intermediates competing for a single active site, thus enhancing the OER activity. High-entropy dittmarite analogs (HEDAs) were synthesized by a mechanochemically-assisted hydrothermal method by Fan et al (Fig.…”

Sublayer-Sulfur-Vacancy-Induced Charge Redistribution of FeCuS Nanoflower Awakening Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution

“…Given its high energy density, eco-friendly nature, and renewable characteristics, hydrogen is considered to serve as a viable substitute for conventional fossil fuels. − Amid the multitude of techniques for hydrogen production, the electrochemical water splitting into hydrogen is a cost-effective and high-purity hydrogen production method; thus, it is considered an ideal means to meet the future sustainable development strategy. − However, the generation of H 2 through HER in alkaline media is still challenging due to the high dissociation energy of water. , Up to the present, the employment of platinum-containing materials in the cathodic HER process is still dominant in order to overcome the high-energy barrier in water electrolysis, whereas the widespread adoption of platinum-based catalysts on a large scale is significantly hindered by their scarcity and exorbitant cost. ,, Therefore, the urgent need for the rational progression of a cost-benefit and high-performance HER electrocatalyst is evident …”

Edge-Rich 3D Structuring of Metal Chalcogenide/Graphene with Vertical Nanosheets for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

“…Hydrogen has been extensively studied as an ideal clean energy source to replace conventional fossil fuels. Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation by water splitting using sunlight is a promising strategy to produce hydrogen fuel by harvesting solar energy for energy storage use. − Transition metal compounds or Transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs), which are two-dimensional (2D) layered structures, have revitalized an upsurge in research interest because of exceptional electronic, photoelectric, and energy harvesting performance. − Among these TMDs, molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) and tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) have recently attracted considerable attention as a suitable material for cocatalysis or photocatalytic hydrogen generation due to their relatively high mobility (a few hundred cm 2 V –1 s –1 ), superior catalytic properties, and an adequate bandgap that is compatible with sunlight. − …”