Nannan Wang

High‐entropy nitrides (HENs) are promising electrocatalysts for water oxidation and hydrogen production owing to their exceptional physicochemical properties. However, the modulation of the d‐band center and electronic configuration, driven by elemental synergy, is crucial for developing high‐performance HENs for electrochemical applications. Herein, ultrafine (∼10 nm) HEN nanoparticles anchored on N‐doped graphitic carbon were synthesized via a salt‐template assisted method, achieving uniform elemental distribution. The optimized catalyst exhibits an onset potential of 0.978 V for the oxygen reduction reaction and an overpotential of 291.8 mV at 100 mA cm ⁻² for the oxygen evolution reaction. The corresponding zinc‐air battery demonstrates a high open‐circuit voltage of 1.529 V and stability over 450 cycles. Density functional theory suggests that synergistic modulation of elements optimizes the electronic structure and d‐band center of HENs, enhancing adsorption and desorption of ^* OH intermediates and reducing the free energy barrier during the reaction process. Partial density of states analysis reveals that W element modulates the electronic environment of the other four elements, inducing electronic reconstruction and a shift of the d‐band center of the metal active sites. This work elucidates the electrocatalytic mechanism of elemental interactions in HENs and provides a guideline for designing advanced high‐entropy materials.

High‐entropy nitrides (HENs) are emerging as promising electrocatalysts due to their diverse elemental composition, tunable electrochemical properties, and a wide range of active sites that enhance adsorption and oxidation reactions. However, the unclear role of entropy has limited their full potential in electrocatalysis. In this study, we introduce a novel and straightforward method for synthesizing (CoNiCuVW)N with variable entropy levels using halite as a molten salt. By exploiting the synergistic effects of multiple metal components, we achieve robust bonding between the N‐doped carbon substrate and HEN nanoparticles, resulting in a homogeneous element distribution. This uniformity leads to exceptional catalytic performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline electrolytes, with an onset potential of 0.96 V and a half‐wave potential of 0.91 V. Additionally, HEN‐based zinc‐air batteries exhibit impressive performance, achieving 1.55 V and maintaining 60% roundtrip efficiency over approximately 400 cycles. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the high‐entropy, homogeneous distribution of elements enhances active site availability, modulates electronic structure, and optimizes kinetics, thereby lowering reaction barriers during the ORR. This work not only facilitates the development of structurally ordered HEN nanoparticles but also lays the foundation for further exploration in electrochemical applications.

Transition‐metal nitrides (TMNs) have garnered considerable attention for energy conversion applications owing to their exceptional electronic structures and high catalytic activities. However, the scarcity of active sites in TMNs impedes their large‐scale application. This study describes the use of wetness impregnation and ionic‐liquid methods to enhance the electrocatalytic efficiency of molybdenum nitride (MoN) atomic clusters finely dispersed on nitrogen‐doped carbon (MoN@NC) substrates. The as‐synthesized electrocatalysts feature atomically dispersed MoN clusters, achieving an impressive onset potential of 0.93 V vs. RHE for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and maintaining an overpotential of just 295 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm² for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The MoN@NC‐based zinc–air battery demonstrated a high‐power density of 151 mW/cm², a robust specific discharge capacity of 759 mAh/g_Zn at 20 mA/cm², and superior charge–discharge cycling stability exceeding 190 cycles. The detailed experimental characterization revealed that the uniformly dispersed MoN clusters served as the primary active sites driving the observed catalytic performance. Additionally, the present findings suggested significant correlations between the phase of the material, crystallization, atomic cluster distribution, support porosity, and nitridation temperature. These insights are expected to refine strategies for achieving atomically dispersed nitrides with optimized ORR performance.

The magnetic floral γ-Fe₂O₃@NC@SiW₁₂-300 with oxygen vacancies shows a high desulfurization rate, high TOF, and low E_a in ODS, and its HO˙ radical oxidation desulfurization mechanism is proposed.

Fluorescent probes designed to sense and image peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻).