Formic acid and methanol electro-oxidation and counter hydrogen production using nano high entropy catalyst

Abstract

Renewable harvesting of clean energy using the benefits of multi-metallic catalytic materials of high entropy alloy (HEA, equimolar Cu-Ag-Au-Pt-Pd) from formic acid with minimum energy input has been achieved in the present investigation. The synergistic effect of pristine elements in the multi-metallic HEA drives the electro-oxidation reaction towards non-carbonaceous pathway. The atomistic based simulations based on DFT rationalize the distinct lowering of the d-band center for the individual atoms in the HEA as compared to the pristine counterparts. Further this catalytic activity of the HEA has also been extended to methanol electro-oxidation to show the unique capability of the novel catalyst. The nanostructured HEA, prepared using a combination of casting and cryomilling techniques can further be utilized as the fuel cell anode in the direct formic acid/methanol fuel cells (DFFE).