Formation and properties of high entropy oxides in Co-Cr-Fe-Mg-Mn-Ni-O system: novel (Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn,Ni)3O4 and (Co,Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn)3O4 high entropy spinels

Abstract Possibility of formation of quinary and senary equimolar high entropy oxides from the Co-Cr-Fe-Mg-Mn-Ni-O system is presented. Different proposed compositions are synthesized using the solid-state reaction route at high temperatures (900-1100 °C) and quenched to room temperature. Phase composition of the samples is studied, showing tendency toward formation of two main phases: rock salt-structured Fm-3 m and spinel-structured Fd-3 m. It is documented that the annealing temperature has a profound effect on stability of both structures, and at 1100 °C usually the highest content of Fm-3 m phase is usually observed. Three different oxides, namely, (Co,Cr,Fe,Mn,Ni)3O4, (Co,Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn)3O4 and (Cr,Fe,Mg,Mn,Ni)3O4 are obtained as single-phase materials, which structure can be described as the high entropy Fd-3 m spinel one. The latter two compounds have not been previously reported in the literature. Activated character of the electrical conductivity dependence on temperature is observed, with relatively high total conductivity at high temperatures and corresponding high absolute values of Seebeck coefficient.