Dual-phase high entropy oxide based on AlFeCoNiCu as an advanced anode material for lithium-ion batteries with self-healing properties

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are an advanced battery technology with high energy density and operational voltage, making them necessary for high-demand applications such as space exploration. However, commercial LIBs based on graphite anode active materials have reached their fundamental limits, and new anode materials are required. While transition-metal oxides have high capacity, they suffer from high volume changes during cycling, which can result in capacity fading. However, high entropy oxides (HEOs) based on transition-metal oxides are promising for providing high capacity with excellent cycle stability due to their entropy-driven structure stability. In this study, a rarely used simple method to synthesize high entropy oxides is presented. A brand-new type of high entropy oxide with a dual-phase structure was synthetized, which exhibits interesting electrochemical performances such as high cyclic stability (415 mAh g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1)) and self-healing properties resulting in a capacity increase during cycling up to 486 mAh g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1).