Defect‐Driven Multimetal Synergy Enables Electrocatalytic Amine Valorization and Hydrogen Co‐Generation

ABSTRACT Sustainable nitrile synthesis remains a formidable challenge due to the high energy demands and environmental burden of conventional routes. Here, we present a defect‐engineered high‐entropy sulfide catalyst (FeCoNiMnWS 2 /NF) that drives the electrooxidation of benzylamine to benzonitrile with 99% Faradaic efficiency and complete conversion. Operando studies reveal that atomic vacancies induce dynamic surface reconstruction, generating a heterogeneous catalytic interface composed of WS 2 domains, Fe(Co/Ni)OOH, and W–O species, which facilitate N–H and C–H dehydrogenation. Machine‐learning‐assisted first‐principles calculations combined with microkinetic modeling show that WS 2 edge sites dominate the catalytic activity, while adjacent oxyhydroxide and oxide species modulate the electronic structure through interfacial interactions. When integrated into a hybrid acid/alkali flow electrolyzer, the system achieves 10 mA cm −2 at 0.55 V, simultaneously yielding benzonitrile and high‐purity hydrogen with nearly quantitative efficiency. This work introduces a high‐entropy catalyst platform that couples amine valorization with energy co‐generation, charting a sustainable path toward electrified fine chemical synthesis.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Energy Materials
Published
2026-04-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.70921
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Defect‐Driven Multimetal Synergy Enables Electrocatalytic Amine Valorization and Hydrogen Co‐Generation

Yingyi Zeng, Fen Hu, Zhenhai Wen, Caijun Xu et al.
Advanced Energy Materials
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
article

Defect‐Driven Multimetal Synergy Enables Electrocatalytic Amine Valorization and Hydrogen Co‐Generation

Yingyi Zeng, Fen Hu, Zhenhai Wen, Caijun Xu, Sen Lin, Junheng Huang, Qingsong Chen, Kai Chen, Fang Wang, Zhiwen Lu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sustainable nitrile synthesis remains a formidable challenge due to the high energy demands and environmental burden of conventional routes. Here, we present a defect‐engineered high‐entropy sulfide catalyst (FeCoNiMnWS 2 /NF) that drives the electrooxidation of benzylamine to benzonitrile with 99% Faradaic efficiency and complete conversion. Operando studies reveal that atomic vacancies induce dynamic surface reconstruction, generating a heterogeneous catalytic interface composed of WS 2 domains, Fe(Co/Ni)OOH, and W–O species, which facilitate N–H and C–H dehydrogenation. Machine‐learning‐assisted first‐principles calculations combined with microkinetic modeling show that WS 2 edge sites dominate the catalytic activity, while adjacent oxyhydroxide and oxide species modulate the electronic structure through interfacial interactions. When integrated into a hybrid acid/alkali flow electrolyzer, the system achieves 10 mA cm −2 at 0.55 V, simultaneously yielding benzonitrile and high‐purity hydrogen with nearly quantitative efficiency. This work introduces a high‐entropy catalyst platform that couples amine valorization with energy co‐generation, charting a sustainable path toward electrified fine chemical synthesis.

Advanced Energy Materials
Fujian Normal University (CN), Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN), Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (CN), Fujian Special Equipment Inspection Institute (CN), Nanjing Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspection Institute (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Science and Technology Projects of Fujian Province, National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 38%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
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