Carbon dot-mediated sub-2 nm high-entropy alloys for enhancing hydrogen evolution reaction performance

Abstract

Employing carbon dot (CD)-mediated synthesis, sub-2 nm PtRuMoZrRb high-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA NPs) were produced, which demonstrated exceptional hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity, showing 10 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential of 24 mV. The size and dispersion of the HEA NPs, influenced by the functional groups of the CD precursors, significantly impact the HER performance, with smaller and well-dispersed NPs exhibiting superior catalytic properties.