Entropy-StabilizedHalf-Heuslers (TiHf)<sub>1/2</sub>(Fe<sub>1–<i>x</i></sub>CoNi<sub>1+<i>x</i></sub>)<sub>1/3</sub>Sb with HighlyReduced Lattice Thermal Conductivity
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have gained significant attention recently due to their exceptional physical properties. Among HEAs, entropy-stabilized alloys, where the high configurational entropy drives the structural stability, are of considerable interest in new materials discovery. Here, we combine theoretical and experimental approaches to design very low lattice thermal conductivity (κ<sub>l</sub>) high-entropy materials (TiHf)<sub>1/2</sub>(Fe<sub>1–<i>x</i></sub>CoNi<sub>1+<i>x</i></sub>)<sub>1/3</sub>Sb belonging to the half-Heusler family. We demonstrate that (TiHf)<sub>1/2</sub>(FeCoNi)<sub>1/3</sub>Sb is entropy-stabilized, with κ<sub>l</sub> at 300 K suppressed by over 80% with respect to the parent compound TiCoSb that has an unfavorably high thermal conductivity of 18 W·m<sup>–1</sup>·K<sup>–1</sup>. Further reduction of κ<sub>l</sub> is achieved by tuning the Fe/Ni ratio. The lowest <i>κ</i><sub>l</sub> is observed in the material (TiHf)<sub>1/2</sub>(Fe<sub>0.5</sub>CoNi<sub>1.5</sub>)<sub>1/3</sub>Sb, where it approaches the theoretical minimum value of κ<sub>min</sub> ≈ 1 W·<sup>–1</sup>·K<sup>–1</sup> at 973 K. Tuning the Fe/Ni ratio simultaneously optimizes the carrier concentration, resulting in significantly enhancing electronic properties. The electrical conductivity increases almost 5-fold, and the power factor increases from 7 to 16 μW·cm<sup>–1</sup>·K<sup>–2</sup> as <i>x</i> increases from 0 to 0.5 at 973 K, making the material (TiHf)<sub>1/2</sub>(Fe<sub>0.5</sub>CoNi<sub>1.5</sub>)<sub>1/3</sub>Sb achieve a zT of 0.51 at 973 K without further optimization.
Publication Details
- Journal
- Figshare
- Published
- 2025-02-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c02094.s001
- Primary Topic
- High Entropy Alloys Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00