Liquid Metal Combinatorics toward Materials Discovery

Abstract

Liquid metals and their derivatives provide several opportunities for fundamental and practical exploration worldwide. However, the increasing number of studies and shortage of desirable materials to fulfill different needs also pose serious challenges. Herein, to address this issue, we systematically presented a generalized theoretical frame that was termed as “Liquid Metal Combinatorics” (LMC), and summarized promising candidate technical routes toward new generation material discovery. The major categories of LMC were defined, and eight representative methods for manufacturing advanced materials were outlined. It has been illustrated that abundant targeted materials can be efficiently designed and fabricated via LMC through deep physical combinations, chemical reactions, or both among the main bodies of liquid metals, surface chemicals, precipitated ions, and other materials. This represents a large class of powerful, reliable, and modular methods for innovating general materials. The achieved combinatorial materials not only maintained the typical characteristics of liquid metals but also displayed distinct tenability. Furthermore, the fabrication strategies, wide extensibility, and pivotal applications of LMC are classified. Finally, by interpreting the developmental trends in the area, a perspective on the LMC was provided, which warrants its promising future for society.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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