Breakthrough in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen and Oxygen Production

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Shenzhen University have made significant progress in developing highly efficient catalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen production across various pH levels. According to the study, transition metals and their alloys display high catalytic activity, which is crucial for sustainable energy applications. The team successfully synthesized Fe-based high-entropy alloys (HEA) using a dealloying method, showcasing remarkable bifunctional electrocatalytic performance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers found that Fe-based high-entropy alloys (HEA) exhibit remarkable bifunctional electrocatalytic performance for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a wide range of pH electrolytes.
  • After dealloying for 7 hours, the HER and OER overpotentials of the HEA strips in 1.0 M KOH decreased by 23 mV and 30 mV, respectively.
  • The free-standing strips with optimal compositions exhibited low potentials for HER (116 mV in acidic, 187 mV in neutral, and 147 mV in alkaline at 10 mA cm-2) and OER (380 mV in acidic, 398 mV in neutral, and 260 mV in alkaline at 10 mA cm-2).
  • The alloy strip processed at 30°C for 7 hours demonstrates good stability for over 100 hours in acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions at 10 mA cm-2.
  • In overall water splitting, only 1.71 V (acidic), 1.80 V (neutral), and 1.64 V (alkaline) were required to maintain a current density of 10 mA cm-2.
  • Theoretical calculations revealed a pronounced multicomponent synergy among the five elements, where boron incorporation substantially lowers the activation energy barrier for H* adsorption/desorption processes.

Statistics:

  • The HER and OER overpotentials of the HEA strips in 1.0 M KOH decreased by 23 mV and 30 mV, respectively, after dealloying for 7 hours.
  • The free-standing strips with optimal compositions exhibited low potentials for HER (116 mV in acidic, 187 mV in neutral, and 147 mV in alkaline at 10 mA cm-2) and OER (380 mV in acidic, 398 mV in neutral, and 260 mV in alkaline at 10 mA cm-2).
  • The alloy strip processed at 30°C for 7 hours demonstrates good stability for over 100 hours in acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions at 10 mA cm-2.
  • In overall water splitting, only 1.71 V (acidic), 1.80 V (neutral), and 1.64 V (alkaline) were required to maintain a current density of 10 mA cm-2.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from Shenzhen University Have Provided New Information about Chemicals and Chemistry (Boron-optimized Fe-based High-entropy Alloy Ribbons for Robust Bifunctional Overall Water Splitting). Chemicals & Chemistry. October 24, 2025; p 4810.
  • International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2025;176, (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; International Journal of Hydrogen Energy - www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-hydrogen-energy/)
  • Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.