## 5 Conclusions  
The electrodeposition of high-entropy alloys offers a versatile, cost-effective approach for producing advanced coatings with superior mechanical, chemical, and catalytic properties. The ability to control composition, structure, and morphology through adjustments in electrolytes and deposition modes allows for the customization of coatings for a variety of substrates and complex geometries. Furthermore, the scalability and low-temperature process conditions make electrodeposition an attractive method for industrial applications in sectors such as energy, aerospace, chemical catalysis, corrosion protection, etc. However, several challenges persist, limiting the widespread application of electrodeposited HEAs (Figure 6). Achieving uniform alloy composition, especially in equimolar ratios, remains difficult, and the formation of thick, compact coatings with uniform properties over the entire surface is often challenging. Additionally, the use of various electrolytes tailored for different metal combinations in HEAs complicates the process of comparing the individual effects of factors such as plating conditions on alloy properties and composition. This, combined with the lack of systematic studies on the relationships between plating \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Alloy** & **Deposition Conditions** & **Structure** & **Properties** & **Ref.** \\ \hline CuNiFeCrMo-GO 1 & chloride–hypophosphite bath; & FCC + BCC & hardness, wear & [17] \\  & pH 1–2; 80–85 \({}^{\circ}\)C, 1 h & & & \\ \hline NiCoWZrP 1 & chloride–citrate–hypophosphite bath; & FCC & corrosion, adhesion, wear & [72] \\  & pH 8–9; 85 \({}^{\circ}\)C, 1 h & & & \\ \hline CuNiCo 2 & sulfate–complexing baths; & & & \\  & room temperature; & & & \\  & thermal diffusion 800 \({}^{\circ}\)C, 2–10 h & & & \\ \hline CuCoNiFe 2 & sulfate–complexing baths; & & & \\  & room temperature; & & & \\  & substrate etching in NaOH; & & & \\  & thermal diffusion 800/1000 \({}^{\circ}\)C, 8 h & & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
* Autocatalytic deposition. 2 Al-induced displacement deposition.  
\end{table} 
Table 5: Electroless deposited high-entropy coatings. parameters, coating properties, and alloy composition, creates uncertainty and limits the reproducibility of results. Despite these constraints, the field holds considerable potential for overcoming the current limitations. Advances in deposition strategies, new electrolyte formulations (including unexplored deep eutectic solvents [75] and ionic liquids [76]), and the integration of electrochemical additive manufacturing techniques [77] could provide solutions for more consistent, reproducible results. The use of artificial intelligence and high-throughput experimentation offers promising opportunities for optimizing plating conditions and predicting alloy behavior. In particular, machine learning-based computational design methods can help uncover the mechanisms and implications of anomalous metal deposition in multi-principal element systems [20], which is crucial for the rational design of high-entropy alloy compositions and properties [69]. With continued research and the development of standardized procedures, electrodeposited HEAs could replace conventional coatings in critical industrial applications, paving the way for the next generation of materials with unprecedented performance. The electroless plating (autocatalytic and displacement) of high-entropy alloys remains a relatively new and challenging area, with limited data available on achieving uniform composition and thickness. A key challenge in this process is the need for suitable reducing agents that can effectively reduce various types of metal ions simultaneously, ensuring the proper deposition of all alloy components with deposition time. A technical difficulty may arise from the necessity to initiate the reduction process, which requires catalytic activation or the use of a galvanic couple.