Abstract:
Hydrogen energy, as a clean and efficient renewable energy source, is regarded as an important component of the future energy system. Among various hydrogen production methods, electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen has attracted widespread attention due to its advantages such as high hydrogen purity and zero carbon emissions. However, the large-scale application of water electrolysis remains constrained by the sluggish kinetics, high overpotentials, and stability issues of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). High-entropy alloys, characterized by their multi-element synergy, corrosion resistance, and structural stability, demonstrate substantial potential in electrocatalytic water splitting. Herein, PtPdCoNiCu high-entropy alloys catalysts are investigated to elucidate the interplay between wettability, conductivity, and bubble dynamics during water electrolysis. Surface modifications are implemented to optimize catalytic performance. A quantitative relationship is established between catalyst surface hydrophilicity, electrical conductivity, bubble behavior, and electrocatalytic efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate that enhanced surface wettability promotes bubble detachment and improves HER kinetics, while increased conductivity accelerates electron transfer and reduces HER overpotentials. Novel insights and experimental evidence for designing high-performance electrocatalysts through surface property optimization are provided.