Vapor-Deposited High-Entropy Metallic Glasses

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is known to produce ultrastable glass via surface-accelerated diffusion.
• High-entropy materials exhibit reduced atomic diffusion due to multicomponent effects.
• The impact of delayed atomic motion on PVD glass formation and stability is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of high-entropy effects on the formation and stability of PVD glasses.
• To explore the distinct behaviors of PVD high-entropy metallic glasses.
• To determine if entropy can be controlled to customize thermal and kinetic properties of PVD glasses.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing physical vapor deposition (PVD) to create high-entropy metallic glasses.
• Analyzing the thermal properties, specifically glass transition temperature and enthalpy.
• Comparing the behavior of high-entropy PVD glasses with conventional PVD glasses.

Main Results:

• PVD high-entropy metallic glasses showed a minimal increase in glass transition temperature.
• A significant increase in enthalpy was observed in these high-entropy PVD glasses.
• These results suggest distinct thermal and kinetic behaviors influenced by entropy.

Conclusions:

• Controlling entropy in PVD glasses allows for customization of thermal and kinetic properties.
• This research opens new avenues for materials design and processing using high-entropy PVD glasses.
• The findings highlight the potential for tailored material properties through entropy engineering in PVD processes.