Biomass-derived nano-laminated Ti3SiC2 MAX phase

Abstract

Carbide-based MAX phases, titanium silicon carbide (Ti₃SiC₂), were synthesized with Ti, Si, and C elements using a sintering process. Eggshell membranes, which have been generally dumped as domestic wastes, were used as carbon sources in starting materials. After a sintering process at 1500 °C, Ti₃SiC₂ phases were mainly formed with a few secondary phases such as TiSi₂ and TiC_x. The formation and extinction of secondary phases were influenced by the quantities of Si contents in starting materials, which also affected the peak shifts of the Ti₃SiC₂ phase in X-ray diffraction spectra. The possible mechanism of this phenomenon was proposed, and the thermoelectric properties of products were also investigated.