# High-entropy alloy enables multi-path electron synergism and lattice oxygen activation for enhanced oxygen evolution activity

“High-entropy alloy enables multi-path electron synergism and lattice oxygen activation for enhanced oxygen evolution activity” (2025), by Tao Zhang et al. Energy research paper. Original abstract below, unchanged. A free PDF is available.

- Authors: Tao Zhang, Hui-Feng Zhao, Zheng‐Jie Chen, Qun Yang, Niu Gao, Li Li, Na Luo, Jian Yi Zheng, Shi-Da Bao, Jing Peng et al.
- Published: April 8, 2025
- Field: Energy
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58648-y
- Free PDF: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58648-y.pdf

## Abstract

Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is key to several energy technologies but suffers from low activity. Leveraging the lattice oxygen activation mechanism (LOM) is a strategy for boosting its activity. However, this approach faces significant thermodynamic challenges, requiring high-valent oxidation of metal ions without compromising their stability. We reveal that high-entropy alloys (HEAs) can efficiently activate the LOM through synergistic multi-path electron transfer. Specifically, the oxidation of nickel is enhanced by this electron transfer, aided by the integration of weaker Co-O bonds, enabling effective LOM at the Ni-Co dual-site. These insights allow the design of a NiFeCoCrW0.2 HEA that exhibits improved activity, achieving an overpotential of 220 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. It also demonstrates good stability, maintaining the potential with less than 5% variation over 90 days at 100 mA cm−2 current density. This study sheds light on the synergistic effects that confer high activity in HEAs and contribute to the advancement of high-performance OER electrocatalysts. The oxygen evolution reaction is crucial for renewable energy technologies but limited by low activity. Here, authors show that high-entropy alloys can enhance the oxygen evolution reaction by activating the lattice oxygen mechanism through multi-path electron transfer, particularly in nickel.

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