High entropy intermetallic compounds: A discovery platform for structure–property correlations and materials design principles in electrocatalysis

The electrocatalytic properties of multi-metal materials are predominantly influenced by electronic and geometric effects related to surface and sub-surface atoms. A comprehensive understanding of these effects and their complex interplay is paramount for the efficient development of high-performance catalysts. Along with compositionally complex solid solutions (CCSS), often called high-entropy alloys (HEAs), high-entropy intermetallic compounds (HEIMCs) are an emerging class of materials with distinctive properties originating from both high-entropy alloys and intermetallic compounds. The ordered intermetallic structure is beneficial for identifying structure–property correlations of catalytic surfaces. This minireview provides a summary of the current knowledge of high entropy intermetallic compounds and their role in catalysis, with a particular focus on the key tunable parameters essential for achieving high-performance materials. • The current state and prospects of multi-metal materials in electrocatalysis are reviewed. • High-entropy intermetallic compounds (HEICs) exhibit crossbreed properties from high-entropy alloys (HEAs) and intermetallic compounds (IMCs). • A comprehensive understanding of electronic and geometric effects in electrocatalysis is crucial for achieving high-performance materials.