Synthesis of mesoporous high-entropy phosphate nanotubes for stable electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

High-entropy materials (HEMs) with highly efficient and durable electrocatalytic properties have become a topic of intense research because of their widely tunable composition and entropy effects. However, the construction of HEMs with stable and controllable structures using simple synthetic strategies remains a challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis of a series of mesoporous amorphous high-entropy phosphate (HEPi) nanotubes as high-performance OER electrocatalysts using a HOF-template strategy. The matched bonding strength between the metal ions (Ni 2+ , Fe 2+ , etc.) and mixed ligands (BTC and H 3 PO 4 ) plays a crucial role in the morphology-preserving transformation process and the formation of high-entropy MOF nanotube precursors. Furthermore, HEPi pre-catalysts can realize a fast self-reconstruction process by the rapid etching of PO 4 3− and BO 3 3− and the simultaneous formation of highly active oxyhydroxide shells. Consequently, the optimized 1NiCoFeMnZnPB@NC catalyst exhibits high OER activity, requiring an overpotential of 274 mV to generate a current density of 10 mA cm −2 . It also displays outstanding stability for 300 h at 10 mA cm −2 in alkaline media. This paper presents a promising strategy for preparing hollow-structured HEPi OER electrocatalysts with exceptional activity and stability for water electrolysis. • Mesoporous high-entropy phosphate (HEPi) nanotubes for OER electrocatalysis are synthesized using a HOF-template strategy. • The molar ratio of Ni:Co:Fe:Mn:Zn in HEPi engineers the electronic structure via the cocktail effect. • HEPi pre-catalysts will undergo rapid self-reconstruction by anion etching and form highly active oxyhydroxide shells. • The optimized Fe 0.5 Ni 1.3 PB@NC nanotube exhibits good activity and exceptional stability after self-reconstruction.