Low-temperature synthesis of high-entropy amorphous metal oxides (HEOs) for enhanced oxygen evolution performance

Abstract

The rational design of multiple metal ions into high-entropy oxide electrode material via a single-step hydrothermal process is applicable to the evolution of oxygen molecules (O₂) through simple water electrolysis. Their cost-effectiveness, high performance, and durable nature are the key factors of non-precious high-entropy multiple metal-based electrocatalysts, which can be used as replaceable catalysts instead of precious ones. This article reports a low-temperature synthesis of the cauliflower-type morphology of high-entropy amorphous metal oxides, and their electrochemical performances towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are investigated. The multiple metal ion (Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺) oxide electrode material shows an acceptable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with an overpotential of 290 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a lower Tafel slope value of 85 mV dec⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, the 20 h durability test with negligible change in overpotential shows the efficacy of the modified electrode material in harsh alkaline media. The observed electrochemical results towards the OER correspond to the amorphous nature of the active material that displayed a cauliflower-type morphology, having a large specific surface area (240 m² g⁻¹) and providing higher electrochemical active sites as well. Consequently, post-stability characterization studies (such as PXRD, FESEM, TEM, and XPS) provide more information for understanding the post-structural and morphological results of the high-entropy amorphous metal oxide.