High-Entropy Alloy/Intermetallic Compound Heterostructures for Efficient Hydrazine Oxidation-Assisted Hydrogen Production.

Shi, Hang; Dai, Tian-Yi; Sun, Xin-Ying; Zhou, Zhi-Lan; Wang, Ying; Zeng, Shu-Pei; Wang, Tong-Hui; Han, Gao-Feng et al. · Adv Mater · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Configuring integrative catalytic heterostructures is an efficient strategy to circumvent the universal linear scaling relationships for accelerating multiple-intermediate redox reactions. Here this study reports nonprecious metal-based high-entropy alloy/intermetallic compound heterostructure with a 3D nanoporous architecture as a high-performance electrocatalyst for hydrazine oxidation reaction. By making use of strain engineering of hexagonal close-packed multicomponent intermetallic compound core, high-entropy NiFeCoCuCrMn alloy surface is comprised of multiple active centers with undulatory adsorption energies, which enable *N<sub>2</sub>H<sub>x</sub> intermediate spillover to adjust rate-determining step and lower kinetic barriers. As a consequence of nanoporous architecture endowing abundant multiple active surfaces, this heterostructure mediates hydrazine electrooxidation of as high as ampere-level current densities at >0.08 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, showing genuine potential to replace sluggish oxygen evolution reaction for hydrogen production via water electrolysis. Its hydrazine oxidation-assisted water electrolyser delivers 500 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> at ultralow cell voltage of 0.87 V, and maintains exceptional stability for 1000 h.