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Despite significant interest in their functional properties, the mechanical behavior of high-entropy oxides (HEOs) is not well studied, particularly at elevated temperatures. Bulk (Co,Cu,Mg,Ni,Zn)O (transition metal (TM)-HEO) samples were deformed under compression at applied stresses and temperatures ranging from 5 to 31 MPa and 600 to 850 °C, respectively. All of the deformation conditions result in creep stress exponents of n < 3, indicating that TM-HEO exhibits superplastic deformation. A transition from structural to solution-precipitation-based superplasticity is observed during deformation above 650 °C. Additionally, TM-HEO exhibits shear-thickening behavior when deformed at stresses above 9 MPa. The formation and behavior of a Cu-rich tenorite secondary phase during deformation is identified as a key factor underpinning the deformation mechanisms. The microstructure and phase state of TM-HEO before deformation also influenced the behavior, with finer grain sizes and increasing concentrations of Cu-rich tenorite, resulting in the increased prevalence of solution-precipitation deformation. While complex, the results of this study indicate that TM-HEO deforms through known superplastic deformation mechanisms. Superplasticity is a highly efficient manufacturing method and could prove to be a valuable strategy for forming HEO ceramics into complex geometries. 

High‐entropy oxides (HEOs) are being extensively studied for various functional applications, but there is limited research into the mechanical behavior of these materials, especially at elevated temperatures. Bulk (Co, Cu, Mg, Ni, Zn)O (transition metal (TM)‐HEO) samples are formed into dome shapes at 800 °C and 70 kPa. Deformation experiments and finite element analysis (FEA) reveal that TM‐HEO has a creep stress exponent ofn = 0.6, indicating that TM‐HEO deforms through superplastic deformation and exhibits shear‐thickening behavior. Comparisons of experimental strain rates to those calculated using existing superplasticity mechanism models signify that TM‐HEO deforms through grain boundary sliding accommodated by a solution‐precipitation mechanism from a secondary phase. A Cu‐rich tenorite phase, commonly observed in the grain boundaries of TM‐HEO, is proposed as the secondary phase facilitating deformation. It is important to highlight here that the superplastic deformation behavior in TM‐HEO is active under modest temperature and pressure conditions, as noted above. Low‐temperature superplastic deformation will provide a powerful method of manufacturing HEO ceramics into net shape parts, greatly expanding their potential applications. 

Bulk, polycrystalline (Co, Cu, Mg, Ni, Zn)O was synthesized using solid-state sintering. Micropillars were prepared and mechanically deformed along three crystallographic orientations: (001), (101), and (111). Pillars (001) and (111) cracked, while Pillar (101) remained intact. Pillars (001) and (101) exhibited activated slip systems, confirmed by a large stress drop, and the presence of slip bands, respectively. Schmid factor (SF) analysis was performed to examine the effect of grain orientations on dislocation activity and slip behavior. SF values range from 0 to 0.5, with non-zero values indicating potential for slip. Six slip systems exist in the (Co, Cu, Mg, Ni, Zn)O rock salt crystal structure: 1/2⟨110⟩11¯0. For the (001) orientation, four slip systems are potentially active (SF = 0.5). For the (101) orientation, there are four potentially active slip systems (SF = 0.25). For the (111) orientation, no potentially active slips systems exist (SF = 0). Dislocation structures, which were observed post-compression via transmission electron microscopy, demonstrated variations in size, number, and distribution across the pillar, depending on micropillar orientation. Entangled dislocations created misorientation in Pillar (001), which led to the possible formation of subgrains, while singular dislocations were observed in Pillar (101), and a lack of dislocations was observed in Pillar (111). Zener–Stroh type dislocation entanglement-mediated cracking is the proposed cause of the transgranular-type cracks in Pillar (001). The possible subgrain formation, or lack of formation, respectively, caused intergranular-type cracks to additionally form in Pillar (001), while Pillar (111) only exhibited transgranular-type brittle fracture. In combination, these findings highlight the importance of dislocation activity, without the need for elevated temperature, and grain orientation in controlling the mechanical deformation response in single-phase (Co, Cu, Mg, Ni, Zn)O. 

Abstract Entropy‐stabilized oxide (ESO) research has primarily focused on discovering unprecedented structures, chemistries, and properties in the single‐phase state. However, few studies discuss the impacts of entropy stabilization and secondary phases on functionality and in particular, electrical conductivity. To address this gap, electrical transport mechanisms in the canonical ESO rocksalt (Co,Cu,Mg,Ni,Zn)O are assessed as a function of secondary phase content. When single‐phase, the oxide conducts electrons via Cu⁺/Cu²⁺small polarons. After 2 h of heat treatment, Cu‐rich tenorite secondary phases form at some grain boundaries (GBs), enhancing grain interior electronic conductivity by tuning defect chemistry toward higher Cu⁺carrier concentrations. 24 h of heat treatment yields Cu‐rich tenorite at all GBs, followed by the formation of anisotropic Cu‐rich tenorite and equiaxed Co‐rich spinel secondary phases in grains, further enhancing grain interior electronic conductivity but slowing electronic transport across the tenorite‐rich GBs. Across all samples, the total electrical conductivity increases (and decreases reversibly) by four orders of magnitude with heat‐treatment‐induced phase transformation by tuning the grains’ defect chemistry toward higher carrier concentration and lower migration activation energy. This work demonstrates the potential to selectively grow secondary phases in ESO grains and at GBs, thereby tuning the electrical properties using microstructure design, nanoscale engineering, and heat treatment, paving the way to develop many novel materials. 

Abstract The rocksalt structured (Co,Cu,Mg,Ni,Zn)O entropy-stabilized oxide (ESO) exhibits a reversible phase transformation that leads to the formation of Cu-rich tenorite and Co-rich spinel secondary phases. Using atom probe tomography, kinetic analysis, and thermodynamic modeling, we uncover the nucleation and growth mechanisms governing the formation of these two secondary phases. We find that these phases do not nucleate directly, but rather they first form Cu-rich and Co-rich precursor phases, which nucleate in regions rich in Cu and cation vacancies, respectively. These precursor phases then grow through cation diffusion and exhibit a rocksalt-like crystal structure. The Cu-rich precursor phase subsequently transforms into the Cu-rich tenorite phase through a structural distortion-based transformation, while the Co-rich precursor phase transforms into the Co-rich spinel phase through a defect-mediated transformation. Further growth of the secondary phases is controlled by cation diffusion within the primary rocksalt phase, whose diffusion behavior resembles other common rocksalt oxides. Graphical abstract