Applications and Research Progress of （Sub） Nanometer High-Entropy Alloys

doi:10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.250160

Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (7): 914-929.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.250160

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Applications and Research Progress of （Sub） Nanometer High-Entropy Alloys

Di-Yang SHAN¹, Zhen-Hua WANG², Zhi-Yu TANG¹, Shao-Hua WANG¹, Qian ZHU¹, Zhi-Yu SHAO³(), Ke-Ke HUANG¹(), Shou-Hua FENG¹

^1.College of Chemistry，Jilin University，Changchun 130015，China
^2.College of Materials Science and Engineering，Jilin University，Changchun 130025，China
^3.China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University，Changchun 130033，China

Received:2025-04-15 Accepted:2025-06-06 Published:2025-07-01 Online:2025-07-23
Contact: Zhi-Yu SHAO,Ke-Ke HUANG
About author:kkhuang@jlu.edu.cn
zyshao@jlu.edu.cn
Supported by:
the Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province(YDZJ202501ZYTS291)

Abstract

Abstract:

High entropy alloys （HEAs） have shown great potential for applications in energy storage and medicine due to their unique multi-element composition and excellent physical and chemical properties. Its four core effects （high entropy effect， lattice distortion effect， delayed diffusion effect， and cocktail effect） endow HEAs with excellent performance. The application of （sub） nanotechnology further enhances the functionality of HEAs， making them exhibit significant activity and stability in fields such as electrocatalytic reactions and medicine. However，（sub） nanoscale HEAs still face challenges in practical applications， such as optimizing synthesis methods， deepening understanding of the relationship between microstructure and performance， and environmental stability. This review reports on the development history of HEAs， with a focus on their structural composition， synthesis methods，characterization techniques， and application progress in fields such as electrocatalysis. Finally， the challenges and future development directions faced by HEAs were discussed， aiming to provide reference for further research in this field.

Key words: Inorganic synthesis, High-entropy alloys, （Sub） nanometer scale

CLC Number:

O611

Di-Yang SHAN, Zhen-Hua WANG, Zhi-Yu TANG, Shao-Hua WANG, Qian ZHU, Zhi-Yu SHAO, Ke-Ke HUANG, Shou-Hua FENG. Applications and Research Progress of （Sub） Nanometer High-Entropy Alloys[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2025, 42(7): 914-929.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of the main core effects of HEAs

Fig.2 The frequency of use of 408 multiprimary alloy elements assessed. The vertical line is proportional to the number of alloys using the indicated element， which is also shown by the relevant numbers. When elements are used in fewer than 10 alloys， no number is given. Al， Co， Cr， Cu， Fe， Mn， Ni and Ti are by far the most commonly used elements［37］

Fig.3 （A） CTS synthesis of HEA-NPs on carbon carriers；（B） Sample preparation and time evolution of temperature during 55 ms thermal shock；（C） An element diagram of HEA-NP consisting of eight different elements （Pt， Pd， Ni， Co， Fe， Au， Cu and Sn）［43］；（D） Schematic diagram of FMBP experimental apparatus for synthesizing HEA-NPs；（E） The schematics of homogeneous and phase-separated HEA-NPs synthesized by FMBP and FBP strategies， respectively［48］

Fig.4 （A） Schematic illustration of nanodroplet mediated electrodeposition corresponding to the current transient of a single nanodroplet collision with a carbon fiber UME at a voltage of -0.4 V（vs.Ag/AgCl）. The nanodroplet content decreased rapidly within 100 ms， which promoted the disordered co-deposition of various metal precursors；（B） Nanodroplet collision process；（C） The amorphous microstructure was confirmed by the lack of crystallinity at high resolution and the presence of diffusion rings on the SAED pattern［50］；（D） Schematic diagram of experimental setup for synthesis of AuFeCoCuCr NPs in hexane under pulsed fiber laser irradiation；（E） AuFeCoCuCr synthesis of NPs. Left： schematic diagram of the reaction on the CNF surface during the LSA process. Bottom right： reaction process to form HEA NP， top right： precursor loaded on CNF［53］

Fig.5 （A-C） SEM-mapping of different high entropy alloys；（D） High power HAADF-STEM images are accompanied by atomic resolution element diagrams［60］；（E） 3D-APT diagram showing the distribution and multi-component properties of L12 HEI elements［61］

Fig.6 Different characterization methods of nanometer high entropy alloys

Fig.7 （A） XRD pattern of PtPdRhRuCu/C；（B） PtPdRhRuCu element distribution of NPs. HER polarization curves of PtPdRhRuCu/C， PtPdRhRu/C， PtPdRh/C， PtPd/C and Pt/C in 1 mol/L；（C） Area activity （normalized to electrode geometric surface area， at -0.07 V（vs.RHE）） and mass activity （normalized to Pt mass）（D） and Tafel slope （E）；（F） HER polarization curves of PtPdRhRuCu/C and Pt/C before and after CV cycle in 1 mol/L；（G） Chronoamperometric tests of PtPdRhRuCu/C and Pt/C at 55 mV overpotential in 1 mol/L；（H） PtPdRhRuCu/C and Pt/C at different overpotentials for the initial timing amperage test current density［64］

Fig.8 （A） Diagram of high entropy alloy synthesis process；（B） TEM image and EDS chemical composition map；（C） CV curves measured in Ar and O which are 2 saturated electrolytes；（D） ORR polarization curves of different electrodes；（E） LSV curves at different speeds［70］

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Applications and Research Progress of （Sub） Nanometer High-Entropy Alloys

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