Theoretical Prediction and Synthesis of (Cr2/3Zr1/3)(2)AIC i-MAX Phase

• Guided by predictive theory, a new compound with chemical composition (Cr2/3Zr1/3)(2)AlC was synthesized by hot pressing of Cr, ZrH2, Al, and C mixtures at 1300 degrees C. The crystal structure is monoclinic of space group C2/c and displays in-plane chemical order in the metal layers, a so-called i-MAX phase. Quantitative chemical composition analyses confirmed that the primary phase had a (Cr2/3Zr1/3)(2)AlC stoichiometry, with secondary Cr2AlC, AlZrC2, and ZrC phases and a small amount of Al-Cr intermetallics. A theoretical evaluation of the (Cr2/3Zr1/3)(2)AlC magnetic structure was performed, indicating an antiferromagnetic ground state. Also (Cr2/3Zr1/3)(2)AlC, of the same structure, was predicted to be stable.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Oorganisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Inorganic Chemistry (hsv//eng)

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art (subject category)