Due to enormous challenges associated with theoretical modeling of multicomponent alloys, there are no reliable theoretical predictions available for their composition-dependent properties and structures. Taylor and Schroers have proposed to use combinatorial materials science to address this challenge, allowing for the rapid experimental screening of a large number of compositionally varying samples for desirable properties, coupling synthesis to high-throughput characterization.

For the important oxygen reduction reaction, they studied the performance of combinatorial Pd-Au-Ag-Ti thin film alloys using high-throughput measurements and correlated the electrochemical behavior to crystallographic properties. The parabolic correlation between strain and electrical overpotential describes a fine control over the strain induced in an alloy, which in turn affects the electrochemical catalytic activity; this control is realized through the combinatorial alloying approach.

- J. Li, et al., Journal of Materials Chemistry A 5, 67, 2017