Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• High-entropy and multicomponent-doped materials offer enhanced structural stability and tunable electronic, ionic, and catalytic functionalities for energy applications. • The special issue compiles 21 articles covering solid oxide cells, hydrogen storage, batteries, and capacitors, showcasing significant performance improvements. • Notable advances include a high-entropy perovskite air electrode achieving a peak power density of 1.18 W·cm−2 and an electrolysis current density of −0.52 A·cm−2 at 700°C. • The collection provides a comprehensive reference and inspires further exploration of the vast compositional and functional space of HEMs and multicomponent materials.
Abstract
This editorial introduces a special issue of the International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials focused on high-entropy and multicomponent-doped materials for energy applications. The collection highlights recent research on the preparation, property optimization, and potential applications of high-entropy materials (HEMs) and other compounds with increased configurational entropy. The accelerating global transition toward sustainable, carbon-neutral energy technologies calls for a new generation of materials with exceptional performance, stability, and scalability. From the perspective of materials science and solid-state chemistry, HEMs and multicomponent-doped systems are at the forefront of this transformation. By harnessing configurational entropy and exploring vast compositional spaces, researchers are uncovering previously inaccessible combinations of properties, from enhanced structural stability to tunable electronic, ionic, and catalytic functionalities. This special issue brings together work on the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of such materials for energy conversion and storage. Together, these contributions provide a comprehensive overview of how compositional complexity can be leveraged to address some of the most pressing challenges in energy science. The issue features 21 articles exploring the frontiers of HEMs for diverse energy applications, including solid oxide electrochemical cells, hydrogen storage, batteries, and capacitors. Many studies focus on designing new materials using high-entropy or multicomponent strategies to significantly enhance performance, while others investigate the physicochemical properties of novel high-entropy oxides and theoretical calculations to guide future HEM design.
1. Introduction
It is our great privilege, as Guest Editors of the International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (IJMMM), to present this special issue on “High-Entropy and Multicomponent-Doped Materials for Energy Applications: Innovations in Energy Conversion and Storage.” This collection highlights the latest research developments in the preparation, optimizing properties, and exploring potential applications of high-entropy materials (HEMs) and other compounds with increased configurational entropy. The accelerating global transition toward sustainable, carbon-neutral energy technologies calls for a new generation of materials with exceptional performance, stability, and scalability.
From the perspective of materials science and solid-state chemistry, HEMs and multicomponent-doped systems are at the forefront of this transformation. By harnessing configurational entropy and exploring vast compositional spaces, researchers are uncovering previously inaccessible combinations of properties, from enhanced structural stability to tunable electronic, ionic, and catalytic functionalities. This special issue brings together work on the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of such materials for energy conversion and storage. Together, these contributions provide a comprehensive overview of how compositional complexity can be leveraged to address some of the most pressing challenges in energy science.
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Konrad Świerczek, Kun Zheng, Liuting Zhang, Yihan Ling, Mingjiong Zhou (2025). Editorial for special issue on high-entropy and multicomponent-doped materials for energy applications: Innovations in energy conversion and storage. Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-025-3293-5
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are high-entropy materials (HEMs)?
High-entropy materials are a class of materials that contain multiple principal elements in near-equimolar ratios, leading to a high configurational entropy. This entropy stabilizes single-phase structures and can result in unique properties such as enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, and catalytic activity.
How do high-entropy materials benefit energy applications?
HEMs offer tunable electronic, ionic, and catalytic properties, making them promising for energy conversion and storage devices like solid oxide cells, batteries, and capacitors. Their compositional complexity allows for optimization of performance and stability.
What is the significance of the special issue in IJMMM?
This special issue compiles 21 articles that showcase the latest research on high-entropy and multicomponent-doped materials for energy applications, providing a comprehensive reference and inspiring further innovation in the field.
What are some examples of high-entropy materials in solid oxide cells?
Examples include high-entropy perovskite oxides like La0.2Pr0.2Nd0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (HE-LSCF) used as air electrodes, which demonstrate excellent oxygen reduction activity and stability in reversible solid oxide cells.
How does configurational entropy influence material properties?
Configurational entropy stabilizes multi-element mixtures, allowing for the formation of single-phase solid solutions. This can lead to improved structural stability, reduced thermal conductivity, and enhanced catalytic activity due to synergistic effects among elements.
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