Functionalization of FeCoNiCu medium entropy alloy via nitridation and anodic oxidation for enhanced oxygen evolution and glycerol oxidation

Original scientific paper

Authors

  • Luka Suhadolnik Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9103-6687
  • Milutin Smiljanić Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4911-5349
  • Marjan Bele Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7746-5672
  • Mejrema Nuhanović Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7856-7340
  • Matjaž Finšgar Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8302-9284
  • Nik Maselj Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8838-8884
  • Daniela Neumüller Department of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Leoben, Jahnstrasse 12, 8700, Leoben, Austria https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9775-6369
  • Lidija Rafailović Department of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Leoben, Jahnstrasse 12, 8700, Leoben, Austria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9643-9338
  • Nejc Hodnik Department of Materials Chemistry, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7113-9769

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.2637

Keywords:

Medium entropy alloy, FeCoNiCu, anodic oxidation, nitridation, Electrocatalysis, oxygen evolution reaction, glycerol oxidation

Abstract

Medium entropy alloys (MEAs) have emerged as a promising class of materials for electro¬catalysis due to their tunable properties and exceptional catalytic performance. This study successfully functionalized a bulk FeCoNiCu alloy using a combined anodic oxidation (AO) and nitridation (NT) approach to produce a highly porous, thin-film catalyst. The hierarchical structure formed during the surface treatments enhances the material's specific surface area and alters the oxidation states of the constituent metals, creating abundant active sites. The electrocatalytic performance of the modified bulk FeCoNiCu electrode was evalu¬ated for both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) in an alkaline electrolyte. Remarkably, the AO-NT-treated catalyst exhibited superior activity for OER, surpassing commercial IrOx benchmarks with lower overpotential requirements. For GOR, the FeCoNiCu electrode demonstrated excellent performance by significantly reducing energy input compared to OER, highlighting its potential as a dual-purpose catalyst for alkaline water splitting. Post-reaction product analysis via NMR confirmed the formation of value-added chemicals, with formic acid identified as the main product. These results underline the feasibility of surface-modified MEAs for sustainable energy and chemical production applications, offering a cost-effective alternative to noble metal-based catalysts.

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Published

18-02-2025 — Updated on 18-02-2025

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Physical electrochemistry

How to Cite

Functionalization of FeCoNiCu medium entropy alloy via nitridation and anodic oxidation for enhanced oxygen evolution and glycerol oxidation: Original scientific paper. (2025). Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, 15(1), 2637. https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.2637

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