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.
Authors
- Yingyi Zeng
- Fen Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1624-6393)
- Zhenhai Wen
- Caijun Xu
- Sen Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3847-6146)
- Junheng Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8215-1723)
- Qingsong Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6643-822X)
- Kai Chen
- Fang Wang
- Zhiwen Lu
Institutions
- 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)
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
Funders
- Science and Technology Projects of Fujian Province
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- National Key Research and Development Program of China