High-Entropy Alloys for Electrocatalysis: Design, Characterization, and Applications

Small. 2022 Feb;18(7):e2104339. doi: 10.1002/smll.202104339. Epub 2021 Nov 5.

Abstract

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are expected to function well as electrocatalytic materials, owing to their widely adjustable composition and unique physical and chemical properties. Recently, HEA catalysts are extensively studied in the field of electrocatalysis; this motivated the authors to investigate the relationship between the structure and composition of HEAs and their electrocatalytic performance. In this review, the latest advances in HEA electrocatalysts are systematically summarized, with special focus on nitrogen fixation, the carbon cycle, water splitting, and fuel cells; in addition, by combining this with the characterization and analysis of HEA microstructures, rational design strategies for optimizing HEA electrocatalysts, including controllable preparation, component regulation, strain engineering, defect engineering, and theoretical prediction are proposed. Moreover, the existing issues and future trends of HEAs are predicted, which will help further develop these high-entropy materials.

Keywords: applications; characterization; design strategy; electrocatalysis; high-entropy alloys.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alloys* / chemistry
  • Entropy

Substances

  • Alloys