Solid Solubility and Magnetism upon Mn Incorporation in the Bulk Ternary Carbides Cr₂AlC and Cr₂GaC

Abstract

Herein, we report on the bulk synthesis of (Cr1-xMnx)(2)AlC and (Cr1-yMny)(2)GaC MAX phases. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy performed locally on MAX phase grains, revealed x and y to be 0.06 (3 at%) and 0.3 (15 at%), respectively. The introduction of Mn into the structure did not result in appreciable changes in the c-lattice constants. Vibrating sample magnetometry measurements suggest that bulk (Cr0.7Mn0.3)(2)GaC may be magnetic.