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Micro- and nano-sized one-dimensional (1D) metallic materials exhibit tremendous potential in various technological applications such as flexible and transparent electrodes, sensing, and catalysis. However, achieving eco-friendly and large-scale fabrication of diverse 1D metals remains a formidable challenge. The occurrence of A-site whisker growth from MAX phase presents an opportunity for developing an innovative 1D metal fabrication technique. Herein, we investigate the significant role of oxygen in promoting whisker growth from mechanically damaged Ti2SnC MAX phase. Our findings reveal that oxidation of the M-site (titanium) in Ti2SnC phases enhances the formation of atomized tin, which plays a crucial role in tin whisker growth. Furthermore, by employing alternative MAX phase precursors, this technique demonstrates the potential to fabricate 1D metals beyond tin. The diverse A-site elements in MAX phases suggest that this approach could serve as a universal strategy for synthesizing various 1D metallic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of Sn whiskers on Ti2SnC has raised concerns about its stability. It is found that active Sn atoms resulting from the damage of Ti2SnC grains are the culprit of the whisker growth, which is the rationale for the inhibition strategy exploration herein. The inhibition effect on the whisker growth of several metallic phases (Pb, Bi, Al) with different solubility for Sn is evidenced and discussed. Under the same conditions, the Sn whisker growth trends increase from Ti2SnC–Pb, Ti2SnC–Bi and Ti2SnC–Al to Ti2SnC samples, meaning that metallic phases with high solubility for Sn can absorb active Sn atoms to inhibit whisker growth. Therefore, compositing with metallic phases which can accommodate an appreciable concentration of Sn is an effective way to repress Sn whisker growth. The findings confirm the fundamental role of active atoms in whisker growth and provide an effective strategy to overcome the Sn whisker growth problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]