Understanding the Catalytic Activity of High-Entropy Alloys

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are promising catalysts for renewable energy conversion reactions involving the electrocatalytic conversion of small molecules such as carbon monoxide (CO). The electrochemical oxidation of CO is a key reaction in sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies. In this study, we combine electrochemical methods, surface-sensitive characterisation, and theoretical calculations to evaluate the structure-property relations of a HEA electrocatalyst composed of silver, gold, copper, palladium, and platinum (AgAuCuPdPt). This unique combination to characterise the AgAuCuPdPt HEA electrocatalyst along with monometallic, bimetallic, and other multimetallic surfaces shows how silver (Ag) can enhance the oxidation of CO and that gold (Au) segregates on the surface. This research illustrates how elucidating the active surface phase structure is essential to understanding the structure-activity relationships on HEA electrocatalysts.The investigations show that HEA electrocatalysts are promising for designing more active and selective electrocatalysts for renewable energy conversion. Advances in researching multimetallic and multifunctional materials such as HEAs are key to discovering efficient electrocatalysts and developing effective solutions to urgent environmental, energy, and sustainability challenges.