Atomic Laminate Research Articles

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Out-of-Plane Ordered Nanolaminate Transition Metal Borides: M4CrSiB2 (M = Mo, W, Nb).

We report the synthesis of three out-of-plane chemically ordered quaternary transition metal borides (o-MAB phases) of the chemical formula M4CrSiB2 (M = Mo, W, Nb). The addition of these phases to the recently discovered o-MAB phase Ti4MoSiB2 shows that this is indeed a new family of chemically ordered atomic laminates. Furthermore, our results expand the attainable chemistry of the traditional M5SiB2 MAB phases to also include Cr. The crystal structure and chemical ordering of the produced materials were investigated using high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction by applying Rietveld refinement. Additionally, calculations based on density functional theory were performed to investigate the Cr preference for occupying the minority 4c Wyckoff site, thereby inducing chemical order.

Theoretical Prediction and Synthesis of a Family of Atomic Laminate Metal Borides with In-Plane Chemical Ordering.

All atomically laminated MAB phases (M = transition metal, A = A-group element, and B = boron) exhibit orthorhombic or tetragonal symmetry, with the only exception being hexagonal Ti2InB2. Inspired by the recent discovery of chemically ordered hexagonal carbides, i-MAX phases, we perform an extensive first-principles study to explore chemical ordering upon metal alloying of M2AlB2 (M from groups 3 to 9) in orthorhombic and hexagonal symmetry. Fifteen stable novel phases with in-plane chemical ordering are identified, coined i-MAB, along with 16 disordered stable alloys. The predictions are verified through the powder synthesis of Mo4/3Y2/3AlB2 and Mo4/3Sc2/3AlB2 of space group R3̅m (no. 166), displaying the characteristic in-plane chemical order of Mo and Y/Sc and Kagomé ordering of the Al atoms, as evident from X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The discovery of i-MAB phases expands the elemental space of these borides with M = Sc, Y, Zr, Hf, and Nb, realizing an increased property tuning potential of these phases as well as their suggested potential two-dimensional derivatives.

Synthesis and characterization of the atomic laminate Mn2AlB2

Herein, we synthesize dense, predominantly single-phase polycrystalline samples of the Mn2AlB2 ternary compound, using reactive hot-pressing of manganese, aluminum, and boron powder mixtures under vacuum. With a Vickers hardness of 8.7 GPa, Mn2AlB2 is relatively soft for a transition metal boride and lacked dominant cracks at the corners of the indentations. With Young’s and shear moduli of 243 GPa and 102 GPa at 300 K, respectively, it is reasonably stiff. The Poisson’s ratio is calculated to be 0.19. With compressive strengths of 1.24 ± 0.1 GPa, the samples were quite strong considering the grain size (1–15 μm). The electrical resistivity at 300 K was ∼5 μΩm and decreased linearly upon cooling. At 0.0036 K−1, the temperature coefficient of resistivity was relatively high compared to MoAlB. The average linear thermal expansion coefficient was also found to be relatively high at 18.6 × 10-6 K−1 from 298 to 1173 K. Mn2AlB2 was not thermally stable above ∼1379 K. While Mn2AlB2 was not machinable with conventional tooling, intriguingly, high-speed carbide tools bits readily penetrate the surface – with no cracking or chipping for a few millimeters – before stopping.

Origin of Chemically Ordered Atomic Laminates ( i-MAX): Expanding the Elemental Space by a Theoretical/Experimental Approach.

With increased chemical diversity and structural complexity comes the opportunities for innovative materials possessing advantageous properties. Herein, we combine predictive first-principles calculations with experimental synthesis, to explore the origin of formation of the atomically laminated i-MAX phases. By probing (Mo2/3 M1/32)2 AC (where M2 = Sc, Y and A = Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, In), we predict seven stable i-MAX phases, five of which should have a retained stability at high temperatures. (Mo2/3Sc1/3)2GaC and (Mo2/3Y1/3)2GaC were experimentally verified, displaying the characteristic in-plane chemical order of Mo and Sc/Y and Kagomé-like ordering of the A-element. We suggest that the formation of i-MAX phases requires a significantly different size of the two metals, and a preferable smaller size of the A-element. Furthermore, the population of antibonding orbitals should be minimized, which for the metals herein (Mo and Sc/Y) means that A-elements from Group 13 (Al, Ga, In) are favored over Group 14 (Si, Ge, Sn). Using these guidelines, we foresee a widening of elemental space for the family of i-MAX phases and expect more phases to be synthesized, which will realize useful properties. Furthermore, based on i-MAX phases as parent materials for 2D MXenes, we also expect that the range of MXene compositions will be expanded.

W-Based Atomic Laminates and Their 2D Derivative W1.33 C MXene with Vacancy Ordering.

Structural design on the atomic level can provide novel chemistries of hybrid MAX phases and their MXenes. Herein, density functional theory is used to predict phase stability of quaternary i-MAX phases with in-plane chemical order and a general chemistry (W2/3 M21/3 )2 AC, where M2 = Sc, Y (W), and A = Al, Si, Ga, Ge, In, and Sn. Of over 18 compositions probed, only two-with a monoclinic C2/c structure-are predicted to be stable: (W2/3 Sc1/3 )2 AlC and (W2/3 Y1/3 )2 AlC and indeed found to exist. Selectively etching the Al and Sc/Y atoms from these 3D laminates results in W1.33 C-based MXene sheets with ordered metal divacancies. Using electrochemical experiments, this MXene is shown to be a new, promising catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The addition of yet one more element, W, to the stable of M elements known to form MAX phases, and the synthesis of a pure W-based MXene establishes that the etching of i-MAX phases is a fruitful path for creating new MXene chemistries that has hitherto been not possible, a fact that perforce increases the potential of tuning MXene properties for myriad applications.

Prediction and synthesis of a family of atomic laminate phases with Kagomé-like and in-plane chemical ordering.

The enigma of MAX phases and their hybrids prevails. We probe transition metal (M) alloying in MAX phases for metal size, electronegativity, and electron configuration, and discover ordering in these MAX hybrids, namely, (V2/3Zr1/3)2AlC and (Mo2/3Y1/3)2AlC. Predictive theory and verifying materials synthesis, including a judicious choice of alloying M from groups III to VI and periods 4 and 5, indicate a potentially large family of thermodynamically stable phases, with Kagomé-like and in-plane chemical ordering, and with incorporation of elements previously not known for MAX phases, including the common Y. We propose the structure to be monoclinic C2/c. As an extension of the work, we suggest a matching set of novel MXenes, from selective etching of the A-element. The demonstrated structural design on simultaneous two-dimensional (2D) and 3D atomic levels expands the property tuning potential of functional materials.

Dataset for "Prediction and synthesis of a family of atomic laminate phases with Kagomé-like and in-plane chemical ordering"

Dataset for "Prediction and synthesis of a family of atomic laminate phases with Kagomé-like and in-plane chemical ordering"

Two-dimensional Mo1.33C MXene with divacancy ordering prepared from parent 3D laminate with in-plane chemical ordering

The exploration of two-dimensional solids is an active area of materials discovery. Research in this area has given us structures spanning graphene to dichalcogenides, and more recently 2D transition metal carbides (MXenes). One of the challenges now is to master ordering within the atomic sheets. Herein, we present a top-down, high-yield, facile route for the controlled introduction of ordered divacancies in MXenes. By designing a parent 3D atomic laminate, (Mo2/3Sc1/3)2AlC, with in-plane chemical ordering, and by selectively etching the Al and Sc atoms, we show evidence for 2D Mo1.33C sheets with ordered metal divacancies and high electrical conductivities. At ∼1,100 F cm−3, this 2D material exhibits a 65% higher volumetric capacitance than its counterpart, Mo2C, with no vacancies, and one of the highest volumetric capacitance values ever reported, to the best of our knowledge. This structural design on the atomic scale may alter and expand the concept of property-tailoring of 2D materials.

An investigation of the in-plane chemically ordered atomic laminates (Mo2/3Sc1/3)2AlC and (Mo2/3Y1/3)2AlC from first principles.

We have calculated electronic, vibrational, and elastic properties of (Mo2/3Sc1/3)2AlC and (Mo2/3Y1/3)2AlC, two recently discovered nanolaminated materials in the family of so-called i-MAX phases. A comparison is made to the properties of the related hypothetical MAX phases Sc2AlC, Y2AlC, and Mo2AlC. From an analysis of the electronic band structures and projected crystal orbital Hamilton populations (pCOHP), we show that the i-MAX phases have more isotropic band structures than the MAX phases, but that their bonding characteristics are very similar, despite belonging to different space groups. However, the similar bonding notwithstanding, qualitative as well as significant quantitative differences are seen in the phonon density of states (PDOS). We also compare the Voigt-Reuss-Hill (VRH) bulk, shear, and Young's moduli. For (Mo2/3Sc1/3)2AlC, BVRH = 132 GPa, GVRH = 89 GPa, and EVRH = 218 GPa, all of which are higher values than for Sc2AlC, but lower than for Mo2AlC. For (Mo2/3Y1/3)2AlC, BVRH = 117 GPa, GVRH = 85 GPa, and EVRH = 205 GPa, which are higher than for Y2AlC, but lower than for Mo2AlC.

Benefits of oxygen incorporation in atomic laminates

Atomic laminates such as MAX phases benefit from the addition of oxygen in many ways, from the formation of a protective oxide surface layer with self-healing capabilities when cracks form to the tuning of anisotropic conductivity. In this paper oxygen incorporation and vacancy formation in M2AlC (M = Ti, V, Cr) MAX phases have been studied using first-principles calculations where the focus is on phase stability and electronic structure for different oxygen and/or vacancy configurations. Oxygen prefers different lattice sites depending on M-element and this can be correlated to the number of available non-bonding M d-electrons. In Ti2AlC, oxygen substitutes carbon while in Cr2AlC it is located interstitially within the Al-layer. I predict that oxygen incorporation in Ti2AlC stabilizes the material, which explains the experimentally observed 12.5 at% oxygen (x = 0.5) in Ti2Al(C1−xOx). In addition, it is also possible to use oxygen to stabilize the hypothetical Zr2AlC and Hf2AlC. Hence, oxygen incorporation may be beneficial in many ways. Not only can it make a material more stable, but it also can act as a reservoir for internal self-healing with shorter diffusion paths.

Synthesis of two-dimensional molybdenum carbide, Mo2C, from the gallium based atomic laminate Mo2Ga2C

We report on the synthesis of a two-dimensional transition metal carbide, Mo2C, (MXene) obtained by immersing Mo2Ga2C thin films in hydrofluoric acid. Experimental evidences for neither synthesis of a Mo-based MXene nor selective etching of Ga from an atomic nanolaminate have previously been presented. MXene formation is verified through X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. This discovery unlocks new potential applications for Mo-based MXenes in a host of applications, from thermoelectrics to catalysis and energy storage.

A magnetic atomic laminate from thin film synthesis: (Mo0.5Mn0.5)2GaC

We present synthesis and characterization of a new magnetic atomic laminate: (Mo0.5Mn0.5)2GaC. High quality crystalline films were synthesized on MgO(111) substrates at a temperature of ∼530 °C. The films display a magnetic response, evaluated by vibrating sample magnetometry, in a temperature range 3-300 K and in a field up to 5 T. The response ranges from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic with change in temperature, with an acquired 5T-moment and remanent moment at 3 K of 0.66 and 0.35 μB per metal atom (Mo and Mn), respectively. The remanent moment and the coercive field (0.06 T) exceed all values reported to date for the family of magnetic laminates based on so called MAX phases.

Order and disorder in quaternary atomic laminates from first-principles calculations.

We report on the phase stability of chemically ordered and disordered quaternary MAX phases - TiMAlC, TiM2AlC2, MTi2AlC2, and Ti2M2AlC3 where M = Zr, Hf (group IV), M = V, Nb, Ta (group V), and M = Cr, Mo, W (group VI). At 0 K, layered chemically ordered structures are predicted to be stable for M from groups V and VI. By taking into account the configurational entropy, an order-disorder temperature Tdisorder can be estimated. TiM2AlC2 (M = Cr, Mo, W) and Ti2M2AlC3 (M = Mo, W) are found with Tdisorder > 1773 K and are hence predicted to be ordered at the typical bulk synthesis temperature of 1773 K. Other ordered phases, even though metastable at elevated temperatures, may be synthesized by non-equilibrium methods such as thin film growth. Furthermore, phases predicted not to be stable in any form at 0 K can be stabilized at higher temperatures in a disordered form, being the case for group IV, for MTi2AlC2 (M = V, Cr, Mo), and for Ti2M2AlC3 (M = V, Ta). The stability of the layered ordered structures with M from group VI can primarily be explained by Ti breaking the energetically unfavorable stacking of M and C where M is surrounded by C in a face-centered cubic configuration, and by M having a larger electronegativity than Al resulting in a fewer electrons available for populating antibonding Al-Al orbitals. The results show that these chemically ordered quaternary MAX phases allow for new elemental combinations in MAX phases, which can be used to add new properties to this family of atomic laminates and in turn prospects for tuning these properties.

Magnetic Self-Organized Atomic Laminate from First Principles and Thin Film Synthesis

The first experimental realization of a magnetic M(n+1)AX(n) (MAX) phase, (Cr(0.75)Mn(0.25))(2)GeC, is presented, synthesized as a heteroepitaxial single crystal thin film, exhibiting excellent structural quality. This self-organized atomic laminate is based on the well-known Cr(2)GeC, with Mn, a new element in MAX phase research, substituting Cr. The compound was predicted using first-principles calculations, from which a variety of magnetic behavior is envisaged, depending on the Mn concentration and Cr/Mn atomic configuration within the sublattice. The analyzed thin films display a magnetic signal at room temperature.