Flame synthesis achieves compositionally tailorable high-entropy metal-containing nanomaterials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Catalysis

Background:

• High-entropy metal-containing nanomaterials are crucial for electrocatalysis and energy conversion.
• Conventional synthesis methods require high temperatures (>1,000 K), complex environments, and specialized equipment.
• There is a need for simpler, more efficient synthesis routes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a versatile and simplified flame synthesis process for high-entropy metallic single atoms and/or nanoparticles.
• To investigate the fabrication of these materials on soot-like carbon supports.
• To demonstrate the potential of these materials in electrocatalysis.

Main Methods:

• Organometallic precursors were blended into paraffin wax fuel.
• The fuel mixture was burned in a flame synthesis process reaching ~1,800 K.
• The resulting high-entropy nanomaterials supported on carbon were characterized.

Main Results:

• A versatile flame synthesis method was successfully established.
• High-entropy metallic single atoms/nanoparticles with strong metal-carbon association were fabricated.
• Homogeneous bonding of up to 25 dissimilar metallic elements was achieved, irrespective of thermodynamic compatibility.
• The synthesized materials demonstrated high-performance in electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide.

Conclusions:

• Flame synthesis provides a facile route to high-entropy nanomaterials.
• This method enables strong metal-carbon bonding and homogeneous mixing of multiple metals.
• The developed nanomaterials show significant promise as advanced electrocatalysts for energy applications.