Ultrafine-grained high-entropy zirconates with superior mechanical and thermal properties

Ultrafine-grained(Sm_(0.2)Gd_(0.2)Dy_(0.2)Er_(0.2)Yb_(0.2))_(2)Zr_(2)O_(7)high-entropy zirconates with single fluorite structure have been fabricated by high-pressure sintering of the self-synthesized nanopowders for the first time.The as-sintered samples exhibit a good microstructure with a grain size of 220 nm and a relative density of 96.8%,which yield excellent comprehensive mechanical properties with a high Vickers hardness of 12.5 GPa and a high fracture toughness of 3.4 MPa·m1/2.In addition,the as-sintered samples possess a good thermostability with the grain growth rate of 30 nm/h,and a low thermal conductivity of 1.57 W·m^(-1)·℃^(-1)at room temperature.The superior mechanical and thermal properties are primarily attributed to the“high-entropy”and grain-refinement effects and good interface bonding.