Molten Salt Synthesis of Nanolaminated Sc2SnC MAX Phase

The MAX phases are a family of ternary layered material with both metal and ceramic properties, and it is also precursor materials for synthesis of two-dimensional MXenes.The theory predicts that there are more than 600 kinds of stable ternary layered MAX phase materials.Now, more than 80 kinds of ternary layered MAX phases that the M-site elements are mainly from early transition metal have been experimental synthesized, but few researches are reported on MAX phases where M is a rare earth element.In this study, Sc, Sn and C powders were used as raw materials to synthesize a novel ternary Sc 2 SnC MAX phase via molten salt method.Phase composition and microstructure of Sc 2 SnC were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and X-ray energy