Rare earth and transition metal based entropy stabilised perovskite type oxides

Abstract

Multicomponent oxides with perovskite type of structure containing up to 10 different cations in equiatomic amounts have been synthesised for the first time. Out of eleven systems synthesised, only six systems crystallised as single phase perovskite type compounds with random and homogenous cation distribution on the respective sites. The formation of phase pure 10-cationic system, (Gd0.2La0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2Y0.2)(Co0.2Cr0.2Fe0.2Mn0.2Ni0.2)O3, in contrast to the multiphase mixtures observed in five of the lower entropy systems (containing 6 cations) indicates a possible role of entropy in the stabilisation of a single phase crystal structure. The entropy driven structural stabilisation effect is further supported by the reversible phase transformation, from single phase to multiple phase upon cyclic heat treatment, observed in the (Gd0.2La0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2Y0.2)MnO3 system. This type of entropic signature has been observed in rocksalt based high entropy oxide systems. However, it has not been reported before for perovskite based compounds, as shown in this study.