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In 2017, we discovered quaternary i-MAX phases atomically layered solids, where M is an early transition metal, A is an A group element, and X is C—with a (M12/3M21/3)2AC chemistry, where the M1 and M2 atoms are in-plane ordered. Herein, we report the discovery of a class of magnetic i-MAX phases in which bilayers of a quasi-2D magnetic frustrated triangular lattice overlay a Mo honeycomb arrangement and an Al Kagome lattice. The chemistry of this family is (Mo2/3RE1/3)2AlC, and the rare-earth, RE, elements are Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu. The magnetic properties were characterized and found to display a plethora of ground states, resulting from an interplay of competing magnetic interactions in the presence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

Synthesis of delaminated 2D W1.33C (MXene) has been performed by selectively etching Al as well as Sc/Y from the recently discovered nanolaminated i-MAX phases (W2/3Sc1/3)(2)AlC and (W2/3Y1/3)(2)AlC. Both quaternary phases produce MXenes with similar flake morphology and with a skeletal structure due to formation of ordered vacancies. The measured O, OH, and F terminations, however, differ in amount as well as in relative ratios, depending on parent material, evident from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These findings are correlated to theoretical simulations based on first-principles, investigating the W1.33C, and the effect of termination configurations on structure, formation energy, stability, and electronic structure. The theoretical results indicate a favored F-rich surface composition, though with a system going from insulating/semiconducting to metallic for different termination configurations, suggesting a high tuning potential of these materials. Additionally, free-standing W1.33C films of 2-4 mu m thickness and with up to 10 wt % polymer (PEDOT:PSS) were tested as electrodes in supercapacitors, showing capacitances up to 600 F cm(-3) in 1 M H2SO4 and high capacitance retention for at least 10000 cycles at 10 A g(-1). This is highly promising results compared to other W-based materials to date., Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF)Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0004]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation [RIF 14-0074]; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009 00971]; Swedish Research councilSwedish Research Council [642-2013-8020, 2016-04412]; [KAW 2015.0043]

We report the synthesis and characterization of a new laminated i-MAX phase, (V2/3Sc1/3)(2)AlC, with in-plane chemical ordering between the M-elements. We also present evidence for the solid solution (V2-xScx)(2)AlC, where x amp;lt;= 0.05. Chemical etching of the Al and Sc results in a two-dimensional (2D) MXene counterpart: V2-xC from the latter phase. Furthermore, etching with HF yields single-sheet MXene of flat morphology, while LiF + HCl gives MXene scrolls. We also show a 4x reduction in etching time for (V2-xScx)(2)AlC compared to V2AlC, suggesting that traces of Sc changes the phase stability, and make the material more susceptible to etching. The results show a path for improved control of MXene synthesis and morphology, which may be applicable also for other MAX/MXene systems., Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF)Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0004]; Research Infrastructure Fellow program [RIF 14-0074]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009 00971]; Swedish Research councilSwedish Research Council [642-2013-8020, 2016-04412]; [KAW 2015.0043]

Mn+1AXn (MAX) phases are inherently nanolaminated compounds based on transition metals (M), A group elements (A), and carbon or/and nitrogen (X), which exhibit a unique combination of ceramic and metallic properties. My thesis work has focused on exploring novel MAX phase chemistries, including elemental combinations beyond those traditionally used for MAX phases, and their graphene-analogous 2D counterpart, MXenes. The first part of the thesis investigates Mo-based MAX phases, which are among the least studied, despite indication of superconducting properties and potential for derivation of Mo-based MXenes. Initially, I performed theoretical calculations focused on evaluation of phase stability of the Mon+1GaCn MAX phases, and synthesized the predicted stable Mo2GaC in thin film form using DC magnetron sputtering. Close to phase pure epitaxial films were grown at ~590 °C, and electrical resistivity measurements using a four-point probe technique suggest a superconducting behavior with a critical temperature of ~7 K. The follow-up of this work, was synthesis of a new MAX related material, Mo2Ga2C, also by means of DC magnetron sputtering. The theoretical predictions as well as the materials characterization by X-ray diffraction and neutron powder diffraction, suggested a Ga bilayer interleaved between a set of Mo2C blocks, arranged in a simple hexagonal structure. It is known that selectively etching of the A-layer in a MAX phase, shown for A=Al, can lead to realization of a MXene. Hence, the next step in my research was to explore the possibility of etching of A=Ga in Mo2GaC as well as in Mo2Ga2C, targeting a Mo2C MXene, as motivated by theoretically proposed superior thermoelectric properties of this 2D material. While Mo2GaC did not allow removal of the A-layer, I showed that Mo2C MXene could be realized from etching Mo2Ga2C thin films, removing the Ga bilayer, in 50% hydrofluoric acid at a temperature of ~50 °C for a duration of ~3 h. Hence, the results did

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 (W2/3M1/32)(2)AC, where M-2 = Sc, Y (W), and A = Al, Si, Ga, Ge, In, and Sn. Of over 18 compositions probed, only twowith a monoclinic C2/c structureare predicted to be stable: (W2/3Sc1/3)(2)AlC and (W2/3Y1/3)(2)AlC and indeed found to exist. Selectively etching the Al and Sc/Y atoms from these 3D laminates results in W1.33C-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., Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [642-2013-8020, 2016-04412]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation [KAW 2015.0043]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) through the Synergy Grant FUNCASE; Research Infrastructure Fellow Program [RIF 14-0074]; National Science Foundation through the Catalysis Program in the Division of Chemical, Biological, Environmental and Transport Systems [1602886]

We have uncovered two inherently laminated transition metal carbides, (Cr2/3Sc1/3)(2)A1C and (Cr2/3Y1/3)(2)A1C, which display in-plane chemical order in the carbide sheet and a Kagome pattern in the Al layer. The phases belong to the most recently discovered family of so-called i-MAX phases. The materials were synthesized and the crystal structures were evaluated by means of analytical high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement. An orthorhombic structure of space group Cmcm (#63) and a monoclinic structure of space group C2/c (#15) are solved. The compounds were investigated by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, suggesting close to degenerate anti-ferro- and ferromagnetic spin states, dynamical and mechanical stability, and a Voigt bulk modulus in the range 134-152 GPa., Funding Agencies|Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) through the Synergy Grant FUN-CASE; Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) Foundation [KAW 2015.0043]; Swedish Research council [621-2012-4425, 2013-4018, 642-2013-8020]

The data presented in this paper are related to the research article entitled "Theoretical stability and materials synthesis of a chemically ordered MAX phase, Mo2ScAlC2, and its two-dimensional derivate Mo2ScC" (Meshkian et al. 2017) [1]. This paper describes theoretical phase stability calculations of the MAX phase alloy MoxSc3-xAlC2 (x=0, 1, 2, 3), including chemical disorder and out-of-plane order of Mo and Sc along with related phonon dispersion and Bader charges, and Rietveld refinement of Mo2ScAlC2. The data is made publicly available to enable critical or extended analyzes., Data article describing dataset.

The magnetic properties of hexagonal (Mo0.5Mn0.5)(2)GaC MAX phase synthesized as epitaxial films on MgO (111) substrates with the c-axis perpendicular to the film plane are presented. The analysis of temperature-dependent ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and magnetometry data reveals a ferro-to paramagnetic phase transition at 220 K. The electrical transport measurements at 5K show a negative magnetoresistance of 6% in a magnetic field of 9 T. Further analysis confirms the spin-dependent scattering of charge carriers in this layered material. A small perpendicular (c-axis) magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy density (MAE) of 4.5 kJ/m(3) at 100K was found using FMR. Accordingly, (Mo0.5Mn0.5)(2)GaC behaves similar to the (Cr0.5Mn0.5)(2)GaC MAX phase as a soft magnetic material. The density functional theory calculations reveal that the sign and the amplitude of the MAE can be very sensitive to (Mo0.5Mn0.5)(2)GaC lattice parameters, which may explain the measured soft magnetic properties. Published by AIP Publishing., Funding Agencies|DFG foundation [SA 3095/2-1]; Alexander von Humboldt award; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) through the Synergy Grant FUNCASE; Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) Foundation [KAW 2015.0043]

Following our recent discovery of a new nanolaminated carbide, Mo2Ga2C, we herein present a detailed structural and chemical analysis of this phase based on ab initio calculations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, and neutron powder diffraction. Calculations suggest an energetically and dynamically stable structure for C in the octahedral sites between the Mo layers, with Ga bilayers - stacked in a simple hexagonal arrangement - between the Mo2C layers. The predicted elastic properties are below those of the related nanolaminate Mo2GaC. The predicted structure, including lattice parameters and atomic positions, is experimentally confirmed. (C) 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [621-2011-4420, 642-2013-8020, 621-2014-4890]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research through the Synergy Grant FUNCASE Functional Carbides for Advanced Surface Engineering; Future Research Leaders 5 Program; ERC [258509]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation

We present synthesis and characterization of a new magnetic atomic laminate: (Mo0.5Mn0.5)(2)GaC. High quality crystalline films were synthesized on MgO(111) substrates at a temperature of similar to 530 degrees 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 mu(B) 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., Funding Agencies|European Research Council under the European Community Seventh Framework Program [258509]; Swedish Research Council (VR) [642-2013-8020, 621-2012-4425]; KAW Fellowship program; SSF synergy grant FUNCASE; Icelandic Research Fund [141518-051]

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.

We have used first-principles calculations and Heisenberg Monte Carlo simulations to search for the magnetic ground state of Mn2GaC, a recently synthesized magnetic nanolaminate. We have, independent on method, identified a range of low energy collinear as well as non-collinear magnetic configurations, indicating a highly frustrated magnetic material with several nearly degenerate magnetic states. An experimentally obtained magnetization of only 0.29 per Mn atom in Mn2GaC may be explained by canted spins in an antiferromagnetic configuration of ferromagnetically ordered sub-layers with alternating spin orientation, denoted AFM[0001]. Furthermore, low temperature X-ray diffraction show a new basal plane peak appearing upon a magnetic transition, which is consistent with the here predicted change in inter-layer spacing for the AFM[0001] configuration.