| Abstract Scope |
Layered non-oxide ceramics provide a platform for studying how precursor chemistry, reaction pathways, and processing temperature determine phase formation. However, expanding these materials beyond simple carbide compositions is limited by competing binary, intermetallic, and higher-order phases that can trap reactions before the targeted phase forms. This talk will discuss how precursor-directed synthesis can expand access to chemically complex MAX-phase and related non-oxide ceramics. Emphasis will be placed on how carbonitride chemistry, metal-source selection, hydride-derived precursors, and thermal processing conditions influence phase stability, diffusion, and reaction pathway selection. Examples will include compositionally complex carbonitride MAX phases as well as layered carbide systems where the MAX phase thickness, or n value, can be varied at fixed M-site chemistry. These results highlight a pathway-based framework for designing complex ceramics for extreme-environment materials and topochemical precursor applications. |