High-entropy Cr(NiFeCoV)2O4 catalysts via CO2 laser thermal shock: advancing electrochemical water oxidation with multi-metal synergy

Abstract

Electrocatalytic overall water splitting (OWS) is a promising technology for sustainable hydrogen (H₂) production. However, its practical application is hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). To address this challenge, high-entropy oxides have emerged as promising OER electrocatalysts owing to their tunable composition and synergistic effects among constituent elements. In this study, we present the fabrication of a spinel-structured high-entropy Cr(NiFeCoV)₂O₄ (HE-Cr(NiFeCoV)₂O₄) catalyst using a rapid continuous-wave CO₂ laser thermal-shock method. The resulting HE-Cr(NiFeCoV)₂O₄ catalyst demonstrated excellent electrochemical OER performance in 1 M KOH electrolyte, achieving a low overpotential of 284 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and maintaining long-term stability over 100 h at 50 mA cm⁻². Furthermore, an OWS electrolyzer assembled with HE-Cr(NiFeCoV)₂O₄ as the anode and Pt/C as the cathode operated at a low cell voltage of 1.57 V at 10 mA cm⁻² for efficient H₂ production. In situ Raman spectroscopy confirmed the surface formation of active FeOOH species during OER, while density functional theory calculations revealed how the multi-metal synergy within a single lattice modulated the electronic structure, thereby enhancing the OER activity of Cr(NiFeCoV)₂O₄. This study establishes a cost-effective and energy-efficient pathway for developing advanced multicomponent electrocatalysts for clean energy applications.