High-entropy PtCuSnWNb nanoalloys as efficient and stable catalysts for ethanol oxidation electrocatalysis

Ternary nanoalloys used as electrochemical ethanol oxidation catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells are confronted with poor stability issues under harsh acidic operating conditions. To address this issue, a carbon-supported quinary PtCuSnWNb high-entropy nanoalloy (denoted as PtCuSnWNb/C) was synthesized by using a polyol reduction method. Due to the unique high-entropy mixing states and strong catalyst-support interactions, PtCuSnWNb/C shows robust structural and compositional stability. Extending ternary PtCuSn to high-entropy PtCuSnWNb nanoalloys has resulted in enhanced performance toward the ethanol oxidation reaction, which is derived from the unique high-entropy mixing states and strong catalyst-support interactions.