Electrochemical synthesis of Ni-Co-W-Zr(P) quinary medium entropy alloy for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

Over the course of history, the principles of alloying have evolved, with the past fifteen years witnessing the rise of high-entropy alloying theory, which has fundamentally transformed our approach to alloy design. Developing cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts is critical for large-scale hydrogen production via water splitting. The Ni-Co-W-Zr-P alloy coating offers a promising alternative to noble metal-based electrocatalysts. In this study, we developed a Co-W-Zr-incorporated Ni(P) coating using the electroless plating method. The integration of Co-W-Zr into the Ni(P) matrix notably enhances the number of active sites during the hydrogen evolution reaction. Electrochemical studies revealed a low overpotential of 413.5 mV of the coating when the current density is at −10 mA cm −2 . Kinetic parameters were analyzed using EIS measurements, and a potential mechanism for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was proposed. The coating demonstrated exceptional stability, with no surface degradation even after prolonged electrochemical testing, making it suitable for large or irregularly shaped electrodes required in industrial applications.