@article {48979, title = {Electrodeposited Co-Mn-Sn multicomponent alloy as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {49}, year = {2024}, month = {JAN }, pages = {658-667}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Despite having exciting material characteristics, the potential of multi-component alloys (MCAs) as electrocatalysts has not been fully realized. In this work, efficient binary and ternary MCA electrocatalysts containing inexpensive metals like Co, Mn and Sn have been prepared via the electrodeposition process. When tested for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an alkaline medium, ternary Co-Mn-Sn alloy displayed enhanced activity with the lowest overpotential of 136 mV, a Tafel slope of 111 mV dec 1 and a very low charge transfer resistance, making it superior to the binary alloys (Co-Mn and Co-Sn), or the single metal catalysts (Co, Mn and Sn). The ternary alloy also displayed high electro-chemical and structural stability, making it a viable electrocatalyst for the hydrogen economy.(c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Clean energy, electrocatalysis, Electrodeposition, hydrogen evolution reaction, Multi-component alloy, Non-platinum group metals}, issn = {0360-3199}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.07.064}, author = {Chandran, M. Athira and Karumuthil, Subash Cherumannil and Singh, Ashutosh K. and Prasad, Bhagavatula L. V.} } @article {49611, title = {Design and synthesis of PtPdNiCoMn high-entropy alloy electrocatalyst for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction: a theoretically supported predictive design approach}, journal = {Advanced Functional Materials}, volume = {35}, year = {2025}, month = {APR}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Electrocatalytic hydrogen generation requires a cutting-edge, multifunctional electrocatalyst with abundant active sites to drive multielectron transfer reactions. High entropy alloys (HEA) are complex five or more-element alloy systems with high configurational entropy which makes them unique materials for next-generation electrocatalysts. Here, in this work, based on new screening guidelines for catalyst selections that combine density-functional theory calculated Gibbs formation-enthalpy with bond length and electronegativity variance, a novel HEA electrocatalyst consisting of five elements, namely, Pt, Pd, Ni, Co, and Mn is designed. By simple room temperature electrodeposition, the designed catalyst is prepared and its hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is explored and validated through experimental and theoretical approaches. The HEA demonstrated a superior HER activity with an overpotential of 22.6 mV at -10 mA cm-2 which outperforms Pt/C commercial catalyst. No evident degradation of the material is detected even after 100 hours of continuous operation under high current density. Moreover, the HEA has shown exceptional performance in harsh electrolyte conditions such as in simulated seawater and actual seawater. Remarkably, the density-functional theory calculated small Gibbs formation-enthalpy (approximate to 0 eV) compared to Pt/C places the new HEA near the apex of Trasatti{\textquoteright}s model of Volcano plot, which is also suggestive of superior HER activity.

}, keywords = {DFT, electrocatalysts, Electronic Structure, HER, high-entropy alloys}, issn = {1616-301X}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.202418644}, author = {Chandran, M. Athira and Dutta, Pritha and Singh, Prashant and Singh, Ashutosh K. and Prasad, Bhagavatula L. V.} } @article {49443, title = {Synthesis framework for designing PtPdCoNiMn high-entropy alloy: a stable electrocatalyst for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction}, journal = {Small}, volume = {21}, year = {2025}, month = {JAN}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are an emerging class of advanced materials characterized by their multifunctionality and potential to replace commercial catalysts in electrocatalytic water splitting. The synergy among the various alloyed elements in HEAs makes them particularly promising for applications in electrocatalysis. However, preparation of HEA via bottom-up approaches by avoiding the formation of mono, di, and tri metallic alloys in the nanoscale is challenging. This aspect is addressed, in this study by exploring the logical selection of solvents, reducing agents, and capping agents, along with their relative fractions, in the solvothermal synthesis of the HEA comprising platinum-palladium-cobalt-nickel-manganese (PtPdCoNiMn). It is established that the reducing capabilities of both the solvent and reducing agent are crucial for the reduction of each metal to form a single-phase HEA. The synthesized HEA (20 wt.\%)/functionalized carbon (FC) demonstrates excellent performance as an HER catalyst, exhibiting a low overpotential of 48.7 mV at -10 mA cm-2 in an alkaline electrolyte. This performance is characterized by high reaction kinetics and stability at elevated current densities. Furthermore, the catalyst shows impressive performance in both simulated and actual seawater. This development reduces the reliance on platinum while enhancing the long-term durability and catalytic efficiency of the electrocatalyst.

}, keywords = {electrocatalysts, HER, high entropy alloys, solvothermal synthesis}, issn = {1613-6810}, doi = {10.1002/smll.202408317}, author = {Chandran, M. Athira and Sahoo, Sudeshna and Singh, Ashutosh K. and Prasad, Bhagavatula L. V.} }