High-entropy-alloy nanoparticles with 21 ultra-mixed elements for efficient photothermal conversion

Abstract

Multi-metallic nanoparticles have been proven to be an efficient photothermal conversion material, for which the optical absorption can be broadened through the interband transitions (IBTs), but it remains a challenge to make the composition homogeneous distributing within the immiscible combinations. Here, assisted with the extreme-high evaporated temperature, ultra-fast cooling, and vapor-pressure strategy, the arc-discharged plasma method was employed to synthesize the ultra-mixed multi-metallic nanoparticles compositing with 21 elements (FeCoNiCrYTiVCuAlNbMoTaWZnCdPbBiAgInMnSn), in which the strongly repelling combinations were uniformly distributed. Due to the reinforced lattice distortion effect and excellent IBTs, the nanoparticles can realize an average absorption greater than 92% in the entire solar spectrum (250 to 2500 nm). In particular, the 21-element nanoparticles achieve a considerably high solar steam efficiency of near 99% under one solar irradiation, with a water evaporation rate of 2.42 kg m−2 h−1, demonstrating a highly efficient photothermal conversion performance. The present approach opens a new strategy for uniformly mixing multi-metallic elements for exploring their unknown properties and various applications.

Backward Elimination: A Strategy for High-Entropy Alloy Catalyst Discovery

“…Currently, most of these studies are limited to quinary composition spaces. However, also HEAs composed of 8, [19] 12, [20] 14, [21] 16, [2] 20, and even 21, [22] elements have been synthesized. Thus, studying these complex multi-elemental composition spaces is possible.…”

High‐entropy alloy catalysts: From bulk to nano toward highly efficient carbon and nitrogen catalysis

“…Besides the above liquid (melting)-solid transformations to synthesize HEA nanoparticles, the vapor-solid direct transformations have also been applied for HEA nanoparticles preparation, and some unprecedented alloys were successfully prepared by this method directly from the gas phase. 44,87 For example, Feng et al 44 reported spark plasma to control the composition of HEA nanoparticles by mixing the different metal vapors (Figure 3D). Owing to the excellent fluidity of vapor and easy mixing, the prepared free-standing nanoparticles show a uniform single phase and can be applied for additive manufacturing.…”

“…In addition, by directing airflow through fixed channels and depositing on the surface, the three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure multicomponent alloy with various elements (IrCuPd and AuAgCuPdSi) was successfully fabricated (Figure 3E,F), showing great potential in nanodevices design. In addition, Liao et al 87 demonstrated using arcdischarging plasma for the synthesis of ultra-mixing 21 F I G U R E 3 Diversified syntheses of HEA nanoparticles. (A) Various rapid shock methods include microwave heating, mechanical ultrasonication, rapid radiative heating, and laser shock method.…”

“…Besides the above liquid (melting)—solid transformations to synthesize HEA nanoparticles, the vapor‐solid direct transformations have also been applied for HEA nanoparticles preparation, and some unprecedented alloys were successfully prepared by this method directly from the gas phase 44,87 . For example, Feng et al 44 .…”

“…As a result, 15 element HEAs (AuWCoNiPtRuMoPdRhFeCrIrSnMn) containing easily oxidized elements (e.g., Mn, Mo) and strongly repelling combinations (e.g., Au–W) were synthesized through the combined high‐temperature and high‐entropy strategy (Figure 5B). Recently, Liao et al 87 . reported ultra‐mixing of 21 elements by arc‐discharge plasma that utilizes gas‐phase reaction with a strong driving force and rapid quenching for easy mixing.…”