What do we know about the electrochemical stability of high-entropy alloys?

Abstract

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) possess unique physical and chemical properties clearly distinguishable from those of traditional alloys, making them promising candidates for various applications, including electrocatalysis. While the electrocatalytic performance of these alloys has been assessed in detail, the electrochemical stability is often assumed to be improved compared with single metals and simple alloys. Such an assumption is rarely supported by theoretical or experimental data and might be misleading for the further successful implementation of HEAs in real devices. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the current state of this research direction, identify the common pitfalls in assessing alloy stability, and discuss the need for advanced coupled experimental/computational studies directed toward understanding the partial dissolution of elements from alloys.