MOF-derived carbonized C@FeCoNiMnMo/NF high-entropy alloy catalyst for enhanced urea oxidation reaction

High-entropy alloy (HEA) catalysts derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) pave the way for efficient electrochemical energy conversion. Herein, we report the synthesis of C@FeCoNiMnMo/NF, C@FeCoNi/NF and C@FeCoNiMn/NF catalysts via a one-step hydrothermal process coupled with subsequent calcination. Structural and morphological characterizations (XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM) verifies the successful formation of a carbonized MOF-derived high-entropy alloy with uniform metal dispersion. Among these catalysts, C@FeCoNiMnMo/NF exhibits superior urea oxidation reaction (UOR) activity, achieving E 10  = 1.24 V and E 100  = 1.32 V (corresponding to 10 and 100 mA·cm −2 , respectively), with excellent durability over 30 h of continuous operation. The enhanced adsorption of key intermediates induced by Mo doping, as evidenced by both electrochemical analysis and DFT calculations, is identified as the primary factor responsible for the accelerated UOR kinetics. This work establishes an innovative approach for the rational design of MOF-derived HEA catalysts, which boosts the efficiency of urea-assisted hydrogen production from water.