High entropy materials as emerging electrocatalysts for hydrogen production through low-temperature water electrolysis

Abstract The production of hydrogen through water electrolysis (WE) from renewable electricity is set to revolutionise the energy sector that at present heavily dependent on fossil fuels. However, there still a pressing need develop advanced electrocatalysts able show high activity and withstand industrially-relevant operating conditions for prolonged period time. In this regard, entropy materials (HEMs), including alloys oxides, comprising five or more homogeneously distributed metal components, have emerged as new class owing their unique properties such low atomic diffusion, structural stability, wide variety adsorption energies multi-component synergy, making them promising catalysts challenging electrochemical reactions, those involved in WE. This review begins with brief overview about WE technologies short introduction HEMs synthesis general physicochemical properties, followed by nearly exhaustive summary reported so far evolution reaction, oxygen reaction overall splitting both alkaline acidic conditions. concludes an outlook future development HEM-based further research be done understand catalytic mechanism eventually deploy practical electrolysers.