A New High Entropy Glycerate for High Performance Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Herein, a new high entropy material is reported, i.e., a noble metal-free high entropy glycerate (HEG), synthesized via a simple solvothermal process. The HEG consists of 5 different metals of Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, and Mn. The unique glycerate structure exhibits an excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity with a low overpotential of 229 and 278 mV at current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm(-2), respectively, in 1 m KOH electrolyte, outperforming its subsystems of binary-, ternary-, and quaternary-metal glycerates. The HEG also shows outstanding stability and durability in the alkaline electrolyte. The result demonstrates the significance of synergistic effect that gives additional freedoms to modify the electronic structure and coordination environment. Moreover, HEG@HEG electrolyzer shows a good overall water splitting performance and durability, requiring a cell voltage of 1.63 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm(-2).

Automated summary

A new high entropy material, HEG, synthesized via a simple solvothermal process, shows excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and outperforms binary-, ternary-, and quaternary-metal glycerates. The significance of synergistic effect is demonstrated in modifying electronic structure and coordination environment. Moreover, HEG exhibits outstanding stability and durability in alkaline electrolyte and shows good overall water splitting performance in HEG@HEG electrolyzer.