Atom probe tomography of multicomponent alloys: Insights into chemical and morphological complexity

Z. Qu; B.C. Zhou; J.H. Luan; Z.B. Jiao

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2025.09.042

Atom probe tomography of multicomponent alloys: Insights into chemical and morphological complexity

Z. Qu
, B.C. Zhou^*
, J.H. Luan^*
, Z.B. Jiao^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Center for Advanced Nuclear Safety and Sustainable Development

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Multicomponent alloys have garnered significant interest due to their vast compositional flexibility, enabling precise tailoring of microstructures and properties for advanced technological applications. A comprehensive understanding and control of their microstructures fundamentally depends on quantitative, atomic-scale characterization. Atom probe tomography (APT), with its 3D imaging capability and near-atomic resolution, has emerged as a powerful technique for microstructural analysis. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the application of APT for characterizing microstructural features across multiple length scales, including atomic clusters (0D), dislocation segregation (1D), interfaces and planar defects (2D), and precipitates (3D). We highlight how APT reveals the nanostructural complexity arising from multi-element interactions and provides critical atomic-scale insights that inform the design and optimization of high-performance multicomponent alloys. Finally, we discuss current challenges and outline future research directions for the continued development and application of APT in this field. © 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science &
Technology.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	52-72
Number of pages	21
Journal	Journal of Materials Science & Technology
Volume	259
Online published	11 Oct 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2025.09.042
Publication status	Published - 10 Jul 2026

Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52171162), the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (Nos. 15202824 and C5002\u201324Y), the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (No. JCYJ20210324142203009), the Guangdong Science and Technology Department (No. 2023A1515240061), RIAM Fund (No. P0046108), PolyU Fund (No. P0044243), and CityU (Nos. 9600011 and 9360161).

Research Keywords

Atom probe tomography
Atomic-scale characterization
Mechanical property
Microstructure
Multicomponent alloy

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RGC-funded

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10.1016/j.jmst.2025.09.042

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title = "Atom probe tomography of multicomponent alloys: Insights into chemical and morphological complexity",

abstract = "Multicomponent alloys have garnered significant interest due to their vast compositional flexibility, enabling precise tailoring of microstructures and properties for advanced technological applications. A comprehensive understanding and control of their microstructures fundamentally depends on quantitative, atomic-scale characterization. Atom probe tomography (APT), with its 3D imaging capability and near-atomic resolution, has emerged as a powerful technique for microstructural analysis. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the application of APT for characterizing microstructural features across multiple length scales, including atomic clusters (0D), dislocation segregation (1D), interfaces and planar defects (2D), and precipitates (3D). We highlight how APT reveals the nanostructural complexity arising from multi-element interactions and provides critical atomic-scale insights that inform the design and optimization of high-performance multicomponent alloys. Finally, we discuss current challenges and outline future research directions for the continued development and application of APT in this field. {\textcopyright} 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science \& Technology.",

keywords = "Atom probe tomography, Atomic-scale characterization, Mechanical property, Microstructure, Multicomponent alloy",

author = "Z. Qu and B.C. Zhou and J.H. Luan and Z.B. Jiao",

year = "2026",

month = jul,

day = "10",

doi = "10.1016/j.jmst.2025.09.042",

language = "English",

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pages = "52--72",

journal = "Journal of Materials Science \& Technology",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Atom probe tomography of multicomponent alloys

T2 - Insights into chemical and morphological complexity

AU - Qu, Z.

AU - Zhou, B.C.

AU - Luan, J.H.

AU - Jiao, Z.B.

PY - 2026/7/10

Y1 - 2026/7/10

N2 - Multicomponent alloys have garnered significant interest due to their vast compositional flexibility, enabling precise tailoring of microstructures and properties for advanced technological applications. A comprehensive understanding and control of their microstructures fundamentally depends on quantitative, atomic-scale characterization. Atom probe tomography (APT), with its 3D imaging capability and near-atomic resolution, has emerged as a powerful technique for microstructural analysis. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the application of APT for characterizing microstructural features across multiple length scales, including atomic clusters (0D), dislocation segregation (1D), interfaces and planar defects (2D), and precipitates (3D). We highlight how APT reveals the nanostructural complexity arising from multi-element interactions and provides critical atomic-scale insights that inform the design and optimization of high-performance multicomponent alloys. Finally, we discuss current challenges and outline future research directions for the continued development and application of APT in this field. © 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

AB - Multicomponent alloys have garnered significant interest due to their vast compositional flexibility, enabling precise tailoring of microstructures and properties for advanced technological applications. A comprehensive understanding and control of their microstructures fundamentally depends on quantitative, atomic-scale characterization. Atom probe tomography (APT), with its 3D imaging capability and near-atomic resolution, has emerged as a powerful technique for microstructural analysis. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the application of APT for characterizing microstructural features across multiple length scales, including atomic clusters (0D), dislocation segregation (1D), interfaces and planar defects (2D), and precipitates (3D). We highlight how APT reveals the nanostructural complexity arising from multi-element interactions and provides critical atomic-scale insights that inform the design and optimization of high-performance multicomponent alloys. Finally, we discuss current challenges and outline future research directions for the continued development and application of APT in this field. © 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

KW - Atom probe tomography

KW - Atomic-scale characterization

KW - Mechanical property

KW - Microstructure

KW - Multicomponent alloy

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105019669976

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105019669976#tab=impact

U2 - 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.09.042

DO - 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.09.042

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 1005-0302

VL - 259

SP - 52

EP - 72

JO - Journal of Materials Science & Technology

JF - Journal of Materials Science & Technology

ER -

Atom probe tomography of multicomponent alloys: Insights into chemical and morphological complexity

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

RGC Funding Information

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YCRG-ExtU-Lead: Design of Ultrastrong, Ductile, and Thermally Stable Nanocrystalline Dual-phase Alloys via Coherent Nano-honeycomb Architectures

ResFac: Inter-University 3D Atom Probe Tomography Unit

ResCtrs: College of Engineering Research Centre for Advanced Nuclear Safety and Sustainable Development (ANSD)

Cite this

Atom probe tomography of multicomponent alloys: Insights into chemical and morphological complexity

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

Permanent Link

Other Files and Links

Fingerprint

Projects

YCRG-ExtU-Lead: Design of Ultrastrong, Ductile, and Thermally Stable Nanocrystalline Dual-phase Alloys via Coherent Nano-honeycomb Architectures

ResFac: Inter-University 3D Atom Probe Tomography Unit

ResCtrs: College of Engineering Research Centre for Advanced Nuclear Safety and Sustainable Development (ANSD)

Cite this