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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
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Millifluidics for Chemical Synthesis and Time-resolved Mechanistic Studies
Published on: November 27, 2013
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Nanofluid-Assisted Synthesis of High-Entropy Alloy Nanoparticles.
Di Yin1, Liqiang Wang2, You Meng1,3
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 22, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new kinetic control method for synthesizing strained high-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA-NPs). This approach enhances electrocatalytic performance, offering a scalable pathway for advanced catalyst development.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Catalysis
Background:
- Traditional high-entropy alloy nanoparticle (HEA-NP) synthesis relies on static thermodynamic parameters.
- A need exists for dynamic control methods to engineer complex nanomaterials with tailored properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a kinetically controlled paradigm for synthesizing strained HEA-NPs using directed nanofluid transport.
- To investigate the formation mechanisms and properties of HEA-NPs under nanoconfinement.
- To evaluate the performance of these novel HEA-NPs in electrocatalytic applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Zn as a propellant to create nanochannels for multimetal nanofluid flow.
- Employing in situ transmission electron microscopy to observe nanoparticle formation dynamics.
- Testing the synthesized strained HEA-NPs for electrocatalytic nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized strained HEA-NPs from ten elements via kinetically controlled nanofluid transport.
- Observed dynamic fusion and fission events under nanoconfinement leading to homogeneous mixing and size control.
- Achieved 94.8% Faradaic efficiency and >720 h stability in electrocatalytic nitrate reduction.
Conclusions:
- A novel kinetic control strategy enables the scalable synthesis of strained HEA-NPs.
- The unique surface strain and multielement active sites synergistically enhance electrocatalytic performance.
- This work shifts nanomaterial design from static thermodynamics to dynamic kinetic control.
