Multi-component high entropy oxides (HEOs) have attracted enormous attention due to their unique structures and potential applications. The conventional selection strategy to obtain HEOs is to search for equimolar cationic systems to maximize configurational entropy and avoid phase separation. We previously explored non-equimolar cationic rocksalt structure Mg–Co–Ni–Cu–Zn–O HEOs using cluster-plus-glue-atom model. In this paper, the mixing entropy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy of constructed superclusters were numerically calculated and compared with the correlated crystal structure based on recent studies. It indicated the Gibbs free energy rather than mixing entropy agrees well with the phase stability of HEOs. Mg 28 Co 17 Ni 19 Cu 16 Zn 16 O 96 shows the optimal phase stability which is related to the lowest Gibbs free energy, reflecting a regular octahedral environment preferred by the cation composition in the system. Enthalpy and entropy are among important design criteria in determining the phase stability of HEOs but the function of enthalpy is obviously higher than that of entropy. This study provides a comprehensive way to access HEOs which is undoubtedly very important for the development of other non-equimolar cationic high entropy materials such as carbides , silicides , borides or nitrides .
In this work, the irradiation response of A 2 Ti 2 O 7 (A represents rare earth elements of Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Nd) series ceramics were systematically studied under 3 MeV Au 2+ ions. The structural changes pre- and post-irradiation were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and Raman spectroscopy . After heavy ion irradiation , all the samples undergo structural transformations from ordered pyrochlore to disordered fluorite and then to amorphous phase. The sample surface became fully amorphous when exposed to the maximum irradiation dose. The 5RETO high-entropy pyrochlore exhibits the lowest rate of amorphization during the process of structural transformation. The cation radius ratio and mixed entropy are the primary factors influencing amorphization rate. The cation radius ratio shows a strong positive correlation with the amorphization rate, while the mixed entropy demonstrates a weak negative correlation with the amorphization rate. The cation radius ratio can thus serve as a reliable indicator for predicting the radiation resistance of high-entropy pyrochlore ceramics.