Non-precious metal high-entropy alloys for CO2 electroreduction

Abstract

Non-precious metal high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with the merits of low cost for effective CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) are still in their infancy. In this work, we prepared the non-precious CuCoAlFeNi HEA using a solvothermal method. The prepared CuCoAlFeNi HEA showed a homogeneous element distribution in the solid solution structure. Compared to the C₁ product (HCOOH) yielded by Cu nanoparticles in an H-type cell, the CuCoAlFeNi HEA presented a Faraday efficiency of 36.56% towards the C₂ product (CH₃CH₂OH). In situ Raman measurements revealed the CO₂RR intermediates and the corresponding reaction pathway. In addition, the CuCoAlFeNi HEA catalyst exhibited superior electrochemically catalytic stability and reusability. This work demonstrates the selectivity towards C₂ products, stability, and reusability of CuCoAlFeNi HEA, presenting the potential application of non-precious metal HEAs in CO₂RR.