Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Nanoscale high-entropy alloys (HEAs) exhibit superior catalytic, biomedical, and energy storage properties due to increased surface-active sites and tunable electronic structures. • Bottom-up synthesis strategies (e.g., hydrothermal, one-pot) enable precise control over size, composition, and atomic ordering, overcoming limitations of conventional top-down methods. • Multi-field applications of nanoscale HEAs span catalysis, biomedicine, and energy storage, with recent advances highlighting their potential in efficient and sustainable technologies. • Future development trends focus on nanosizing and multidimensionalization to further enhance performance and expand application horizons.
Abstract
Alloying strategies have proven effective in enhancing the properties of metallic materials. However, conventional alloying strategies face significant limitations in preparing nanoscale multi-alloys and continuous optimizing surface-active sites. High-entropy alloys (HEAs) display a broader spectrum of unique properties due to their complex electron distribution and atomic-level heterogeneity arising from the stochastic mixing of multiple elements, which provides a diverse array of binding sites and almost continuous distribution of binding energies. This review aims to summarize recent research advancements in synthesis strategies and multi-field applications of nanoscale HEAs. It emphasizes several commonly employed synthesis strategies and significant challenges in synthesizing nanoscale HEAs. Finally, we present a comprehensive analysis of the advantages of HEAs for multi-field applications, emphasizing significant application trends related to nanosizing and multidimensionalization to develop more efficient nanoscale HEAs.
1. Introduction
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) represent a novel concept that has developed rapidly within the last two decades and has expanded into various other compound classes, garnering increasing attention for their unique physicochemical properties [1]. Traditionally, the alloying strategy involved combining a small number of minor elements with a predominant major element, where one or two elements formed the bulk of the material, and the others were added to introduce specific properties [2–5]. However, the HEAs proposed by Yeh et al. and Cantor et al. in 2004 challenge this convention by lacking a dominant element. Instead, they primarily form single-phase solid solutions containing five or more elements, each with concentrations between 5 and 35% [6, 7].
Unlike traditional alloys, which tend to exhibit the properties of dominant element, HEAs display a high degree of compositional flexibility and structural diversity due to the absence of a principal element. This results in a broader range of distinctive properties [8, 9]. This innovative alloy design concept surpasses the limitations of conventional material science, offering immense potential for the discovery and development of new material properties.
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Bin Zhang, Qingxue Mu, Ye Pei, Siyu Hu, Shuo Liu, Taolei Sun, Guanbin Gao (2025). Synthesis Strategies and Multi-field Applications of Nanoscale High-Entropy Alloys. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01779-0
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are high-entropy alloys (HEAs)?
High-entropy alloys are a novel class of materials composed of five or more principal elements in near-equiatomic ratios, forming single-phase solid solutions. They exhibit unique properties such as high mechanical strength, exceptional thermal stability, and corrosion resistance, and are increasingly explored for nanoscale applications.
Why are nanoscale high-entropy alloys important?
Nanoscale HEAs offer a larger surface area and more active sites compared to bulk HEAs, enhancing their performance in catalysis, biomedicine, and energy storage. Their tunable composition and structure enable optimization for specific applications.
What are the common synthesis methods for nanoscale HEAs?
Common bottom-up synthesis methods include hydrothermal synthesis, one-pot methods, and other wet-chemical approaches. These allow precise control over size, composition, and atomic ordering, overcoming limitations of top-down methods like arc melting or mechanical alloying.
What are the main applications of nanoscale HEAs?
Nanoscale HEAs are applied in catalysis (e.g., electrocatalysis, photocatalysis), biomedicine (e.g., drug delivery, imaging), and energy storage (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors). Their unique properties make them promising for advanced technologies.
What are the future trends in nanoscale HEA development?
Future trends include further nanosizing to increase surface area, multidimensionalization to create complex structures, and exploring new compositions to enhance performance. These approaches aim to develop more efficient and versatile nanoscale HEAs.
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