Formation of the max phase Ti2AlN by high-temperature heating in vacuum

Abstract

The MAX phase (Ti2AlN) was synthesized by reaction sintering of Ti, TiN, Al precursors in vacuum in quartz ampoules. The effect of temperature on the formation of the Ti2AlN phase was estimated. The MAX phase with a minimum amount of impurities was obtained at 1300°C. The elemental and phase composition and structure of the synthesized samples were studied. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, the obtained samples, along with the main phase Ti2AlN, contain impurity phases TiN, TiAl, Ti3Al. The results of electron microscopy show heterogeneity of the elemental composition of precursor particles, which differ in size and morphology. In well-formed crystallites of the MAX phase with a layered structure, the Ti/Al/N element ratio is close to the stoichiometric composition of Ti2AlN. The quality of the layered structure of Ti2AlN and the simplicity of the synthesis technique make the material promising for some applications, in particular, for obtaining 2D MXene (Ti2N) particles.