Citation: Xindong Zhu, Wen Huang, Lan Tan, Zhongzheng Yao, Xiao Yang, Ruoyu Song, Mingxiao Chen, Dong Liu, Jianrong Zeng, He Zhu, Si Lan. Ultrafast synthesis of tetragonal-distorted FeCoNiCuCr high-entropy alloy nanoparticles for enhanced OER performance[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(5): 110852. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110852 shu

Ultrafast synthesis of tetragonal-distorted FeCoNiCuCr high-entropy alloy nanoparticles for enhanced OER performance

Xindong Zhu ^{a, 1} ,
Wen Huang ^{a, 1} ,
Lan Tan ^a ,
Zhongzheng Yao ^a ,
Xiao Yang ^a ,
Ruoyu Song ^b ,
Mingxiao Chen ^c ,
Dong Liu ^c ,
Jianrong Zeng ^{d, e, *,} ,
He Zhu ^{a, *,} ,
Si Lan ^{a, *,}

a.
Herbert Gleiter Institute of Nanoscience, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
b.
Nanjing Huaxing Pressure Vessel Manufacture Co., Ltd., Nanjing 211131, China
c.
School of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
d.
Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
e.
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China

zengjianrong@sinap.ac.cn

hezhu@njust.edu.cn

lansi@njust.edu.cn

Received Date: 19 November 2024
Revised Date: 2 January 2025
Accepted Date: 14 January 2025
Available Online: 14 January 2025

Figures(5)

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as promising electrocatalysts due to their unique compositional complexity and tunable electronic structures. However, achieving rapid and efficient synthesis of HEA nanoparticles (NPs) with high electrocatalytic activity and understanding their structural and electronic characteristics remains challenging. Here, we report the synthesis of FeCoNiCuCr HEA NPs via an ultrafast carbon thermal shock (CTS) method. Local structural investigations combining synchrotron pair distribution function (PDF) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) reveal that incorporating Cr introduces local tetragonal distortions, resulting in residual strain that enhances catalytic performance. This local distortion could be attributed to atomic-scale elemental segregation between Cr and Cu, further stabilizing the structure and improving activity. These synergistic effects, combined with uniform carbon-loaded NPs morphology achieved by the CTS process, enable superior OER performance. This study highlights the role of structural and electronic modulation in HEA catalysts, offering valuable insights for the design of next-generation electrocatalysts.
- Lattice distortion,
- Carbon thermal shock method,
- Oxygen evolution reaction,
- High entropy alloy nanoparticles,
- Pair distribution function
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