The Mn+1AXn phases, or “MAX” phases, are nano-laminates, where M is an early transition metal, A belongs to groups 13-16, and X is either C or N. They were discovered some decades ago. In the research line Nanolamellar Materials, we grow single crystals of MAX phases using high temperature solution growth [1] and determine their physical properties, focusing on the anisotropies expected from their nano-lamellar structure. To cite but a few examples, in collaboration with our various partners, we have measured magneto-transport [2], band structure [3] or phonon dispersion [4] anisotropies of MAX phase single crystals. We also use our crystals for producing MXenes and studying their physical properties. We have just started to investigate new magnetic MAX phases and associated Mxenes within the framework of a European project involving LMGP, Institut Néel, Linköping University (LiU), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Drexel University, and ESRF as main partners [5]. We do not limit ourselves to nano-lamellar carbides, but we have also started to develop activities on nano-lamellar borides.
MORE-MAX (2018-2021, coordinator)
Type: International Strategic Partnership program, IDEX Univ. Grenoble Alpes & ESRF
Title: Probing the magnetism of each chemical element in rare earth-based MAX phases
Partnership: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF, Grenoble), Université de Linköping (Suède)
MORE-MXènes (2018-2021, coordinator)
Type: FLAG-ERA call, European programm from Flagship Graphene
Title: Magnetically ordered rare earth 2D MXenes
Partnership: Linköping University (Sweden), Institut Néel (Grenoble), Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium)
Chaire of Excellence Program of M. W. Barsoum (2017-2019, coordinator)
Type: Nanosciences Fondation call, Univ. Grenoble Alpes Fondation
Title: Production of MXenes on large surface area from MAX phase single crystals and fabrication of 2D electron devices
Partnership: Drexel University (USA), Institut Néel (Grenoble), CEA-PHELIQS (Grenoble)