Wood-derived high-entropy alloy catalyst achieves efficient hydrogen evolution through electronegativity engineering

Producing hydrogen efficiently through water electrolysis depends heavily on the performance of electrocatalysts. Although platinum remains the benchmark catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), its scarcity and cost continue to limit large-scale deployment. Researchers are therefore seeking alternative catalyst systems that combine high activity, durability and lower material costs.

A new study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts presents a biomass-based solution by using carbonized wood as a three-dimensional conductive scaffold for high-entropy alloy nanoparticles. The researchers developed a rapid carbothermal shock process that enables multimetal nanoparticles to form directly on wood-derived carbon while simultaneously generating a graphitized carbon shell that strengthens the interface between the alloy and the carbon framework.

Rather than focusing only on alloy composition, the study explores how differences in electronegativity among alloying elements influence catalytic behavior. By introducing manganese, the element with the lowest electronegativity among the selected metals, electrons were redistributed toward ruthenium and the surrounding carbon matrix. This electronic regulation optimized the catalyst's electronic structure, promoted water activation, and produced hydrogen adsorption energies closer to the thermodynamic optimum. Density functional theory calculations confirmed that the modified electronic configuration reduced the energy barrier for water dissociation while facilitating hydrogen evolution.

Electrochemical measurements showed that the optimized FeCoCuRuMn@CW catalyst required an overpotential of only 28 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² in 1.0 mol L^-1 KOH, outperforming other alloy compositions investigated in the study and even exceeding the performance of commercial Pt/C under the same testing conditions. The catalyst also exhibited a low Tafel slope, abundant electrochemically active sites and stable operation for more than 1,000 hours, indicating excellent reaction kinetics and structural robustness.

The authors attribute the outstanding performance to two complementary factors. Electronegativity-driven electron transfer tailors the intrinsic activity of the alloy, while the graphitized carbon shell reinforces nanoparticle anchoring, improves electrical conductivity and suppresses particle aggregation during long-term operation. Together, these effects establish a stable catalyst architecture that efficiently couples biomass-derived carbon with high-entropy alloy chemistry.

Beyond demonstrating a high-performance HER catalyst, the work highlights how natural wood can serve as a functional platform for advanced energy materials. The findings provide a practical strategy for designing sustainable electrocatalysts by integrating renewable biomass resources with precise electronic structure engineering, opening new opportunities for low-carbon hydrogen production and biomass valorization.

See the article:

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2026.100282

Original Source URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S236996982600054X

Journal

Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts