journal article·2026-06

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

Yingyi Zeng, Junheng Huang, Zhiwen Lu, Kai Chen, Shengjian Lin, Fen Hu, Qingsong Chen, Fang Wang, Caijun Xu, Junxiang Chen, Zhenhai Wen

Advanced Energy Materials· Volume 16· Issue 23
Publisher page

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.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis · Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques toward Hydrogen Energy Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou Fujian China

College of Chemistry and Materials Science Fujian Normal University Fuzhou China

Fujian College University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou Fujian China

Fujian Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspection and Research Institute Fuzhou Fujian China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Science and Technology Projects of Fujian Province

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