Lattice distortion-controlled thermal conductivity of entropy-stabilized oxide MgCoNiCuZnO5

Entropy-stabilized oxides exhibit unusually low lattice thermal conductivity, but the governing mechanisms are not fully understood. We study how lattice distortion controls thermal transport in MgCoNiCuZnO 5 (J14). Structural analysis reveals strong, element-specific distortions caused by multication disorder in a single-phase rock-salt lattice. Thermal measurements show highly suppressed phonon transport, consistent with reduced coherent propagation from severe distortion. By varying transition-metal composition, we tune distortion magnitude and modulate thermal conductivity. These results establish elemental lattice distortion as a quantitative descriptor linking structural disorder to thermal transport and guiding thermal property design.