Synthesized the Ti3AlC2 MAX phase

We synthesized the Ti3AlC2 MAX phase by a ceramic synthesis route and confirmed its structure by X-ray diffraction (see the Supporting Information for full experimental details). It consists of a c-axis stacking sequence where two layers of edge-sharing CTi6 octahedra are sandwiched between planar layers of Al. The butane ODH study with Ti3AlC2 was carried out at different temperatures, varying the O2:butane ratio from 0.25:1 up to 1:1. The product mixture contained 1-butene, 2-butene, butadiene, propene, CO2, and CO. Control experiments without a catalyst yielded <1 % of alkenes. At an O2/butane ratio of 0.25:1 and 550 °C, Ti3AlC2 gave nearly 35 % selectivity for butenes and 25 % for butadiene at 10 % conversion. At higher O2/butane ratios of 0.5 and 1, conversion increased to 20 % and 24 %, respectively, without significant loss in selectivity for butenes and butadiene. Even at 24 % conversion, the partial oxidation (butenes+butadiene) selectivity is close to 50 %, which is remarkable. The catalyst is stable, retaining its selectivity during a long-time test (Supporting Information, Figure S1). XRD analysis after the reaction did not show any major structural changes, further confirming the stability of the phase. Such high selectivity for butadiene is rarely achieved in butane ODH. At the same butane conversion, Ti3AlC2 was more selective for butenes and butadiene than Mg3V2O8 or Mg3V2O7, amongst the best catalysts reported for this reaction. Remarkably our Ti3AlC2 catalyst was still active and stable at O2:butane ratios ≤1:1. Typical metal oxide catalysts require ratios ≥2:1 to prevent severe deactivation due to coke deposition. If you are looking for high quality, high purity, and cost-effective Ti3AlC2, or if you require the latest price of Ti3AlC2, please feel free to email contact mis-asia.