Cu‐Enhanced Sigma Phase High‐Entropy Intermetallics Enabling Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Through Hydrogen Spillover

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Authors: Jin Tian, Linyuan Pei, Rongrong Shi, Yimin Daniel Zhang, Guangxin Sun, Shuiyong Wang, Ying Tang, Biao Chen, Enzuo Liu, Liying Ma, Chunnian He, Fang He
+4 more Chunsheng Shi, Naiqin Zhao, Wanxiang Zhao, Jianli Kang
Cited by: 1
References: 27

Abstract

ABSTRACT High‐entropy intermetallics (HEIs) exhibit outstanding stability in alkaline water electrolysis, but their application as catalysts is strictly restricted by sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics. Hydrogen spillover offers a promising strategy to address this challenge, enabling timely replenishment of active hydrogen in alkaline media through migration from water dissociation sites to adjacent catalytic domains. Herein, we report a Sigma phase HEIs catalyst S‐MnFeCoNiVCu, where spillover carrier‐Cu incorporation into the high‐entropy topological close‐packed structure significantly enhances hydrogen spillover efficiency. This catalyst exhibits excellent HER performance in 1 m KOH, requiring only 161 and 266 mV to achieve current densities of 100 mA cm −2 and 500 mA cm −2 , respectively. The markedly reduced Tafel slope (46.93 mV dec −1 ) and enhanced hydrogen adsorption/desorption kinetics provide clear evidence of hydrogen spillover phenomena during HER. The inherent structural stability of Sigma phase HEIs ensures ultra‐durable operation over 6000 h at 500 mA cm −2 with no detectable degradation. This work demonstrates a novel catalyst design paradigm through synergistic structural engineering and spillover carrier element incorporation, offering fresh insights into hydrogen spillover‐enhanced alkaline HER.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion High Entropy Alloys Studies Subcritical and Supercritical Water Processes

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Functional Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
36
Issue
45
Publication date
11 April 2026
Language
EN