Reactive synthesis of porous nanolaminate Ti-3(Si,Al)C-2 intermetallic compound

Ti3SiC2, belongs to MAX phases, usually has the characteristics of low purity and high energy consumption synthesis process. In this work, porous Ti-3(Si,Al)C-2 quaternary intermetallic compound was fabricated through a reactive synthesis of Ti, Si, Al and graphite elemental powders at relatively low temperature of 1300 degrees C. The quaternary compound has been characterized by a solid solution based on Ti3SiC2 with the purity of 99.5 vol%. The maximum pore size, open porosity and permeability of porous Ti-3(Si,Al)C-2 compound were determined to be 7.1 mu m, 44.0% and 16.8 m(3) m(-2) kPa(-1).h(-1), respectively. The pore size distribution of porous Ti-3(Si,Al)C-2 exhibits a characteristic of a single main peak with the average pore size of 4.4 mu m. Low-cost and easy synthesis method, high purity and uniform aperture distribution impart the new porous material potential applications in purification and separation fields. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.