Multifunctional High Entropy Alloys Enabled by Severe Lattice Distortion

Since 2004, the design of high entropy alloys (HEAs) has generated significant interest within the materials science community due to their exceptional structural and functional properties. By incorporating multiple principal elements into a common lattice, it is possible to create a single-phase crystal with a highly distorted lattice. This unique feature enables HEAs to offer a promising combination of mechanical and physical properties that are not typically observed in conventional alloys. In this article, an extensive overview of multifunctional HEAs that exhibit severe lattice distortion is provided, covering the theoretical models that are developed to understand lattice distortion, the experimental and computational methods employ to characterize lattice distortion, and most importantly, the impact of severe lattice distortion on the mechanical, physical and electrochemical properties of HEAs. Through this review, it is hoped to stimulate further research into the study of distorted lattices in crystalline solids. High entropy alloys exhibit lattice distortion that creates a heterogeneous strain field. This unique feature can result in multifunctional properties that are not typically observed in conventional alloys.image

Automated summary

Since 2004, the design of high entropy alloys (HEAs) has sparked significant interest in the materials science community due to their exceptional structural and functional properties. By incorporating multiple principal elements into a common lattice, a highly distorted lattice can be created, enabling HEAs to offer a promising combination of mechanical and physical properties that are not typically observed in conventional alloys. This article provides an extensive overview of multifunctional HEAs with severe lattice distortion, including theoretical models, experimental and computational methods, and the impact of lattice distortion on their mechanical, physical, and electrochemical properties. The review aims to stimulate further research into the study of distorted lattices in crystalline solids.