Cobalt modulated local electronic environment of NiCoMnCuFe high-entropy alloys for stable overall water splitting

Abstract

A cobalt-modulated NiCoMnCuFe high-entropy alloy anchored on reduced graphene oxide was rationally designed, delivering low Tafel slopes of 38.1 and 64.1 mV dec⁻¹ for OER and HER, respectively. The catalyst enables alkaline overall water splitting at 1.80 V to reach 1 A cm⁻² with stable operation over 50 h. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that Co-induced charge redistribution optimizes intermediate adsorption and accelerates reaction kinetics.