Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• MAX series materials exhibit a unique combination of metallic and ceramic properties due to their laminated crystal structure, enabling diverse functional applications. • The review systematically covers the research timeline, structural diversity, synthesis routes, and prediction methods (including machine learning) for MAX materials. • Over 383 different MAX phases have been reported, with novel compositions predicted via theoretical simulation and machine learning. • Key challenges for future development include accelerating the transition of MAX materials into new quality productive forces for advanced technological applications.
Abstract
MAX series materials, as non-van der Waals layered multi-element compounds, contribute remarkable regulated properties and functional dimension, combining the features of metal and ceramic materials due to their inherently laminated crystal structure that Mn+1Xn slabs are intercalated with A element layers. Oriented to the functional requirements of information, intelligence, electrification, and aerospace in the new era, how to accelerate MAX series materials into new quality productive forces? The systematic enhancement of knowledge about MAX series materials is intrinsic to understanding its low-dimensional geometric structure characteristics, and physical and chemical properties, revealing the correlation of composition, structure, and function and further realizing rational design based on simulation and prediction. Diversity also brings complexity to MAX materials research. This review provides substantial tabular information on (I) MAX's research timeline from 1960 to the present, (II) structure diversity and classification convention, (III) synthesis route exploration, (IV) prediction based on theory and machine learning, (V) properties, and (VI) functional applications. Herein, the researchers can quickly locate research content and recognize connections and differences of MAX series materials. In addition, the research challenges for the future development of MAX series materials are highlighted.
1. Introduction
Oriented to the functional requirements of information, intelligence, electrification, and aerospace in new era, materials science research is the cornerstone of supporting technological innovation, which can endow equipment and systems with new functions and characteristics in various fields, accelerating the realization of technological breakthroughs. Due to their similar atomic arrangements, a series of transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides are categorized as MAX series materials (MAXs), once named H-phases in 1960s [1]. Up to now, over 383 different types of MAXs have been reported based on synthetic strategy innovation on solid-state reaction sintering, melting reaction, and physicochemical deposition. Meanwhile, a series of novel MAXs are predicted by theoretical simulation and machine learning. The diversity investigations in elemental composition and structure bring the adjustable properties: ceramic characteristics (high-temperature resilience [2], strength [3], and oxidation resistance [4]); metallic properties (conductivity [5], thermal conduction [6], machinability [7], and impact durability [8]). MAXs are intended in the potential function requirements in rail transportation lubrication [9], heating components [10], electrical contacts [11, 12], electromagnetic shielding [13], microwave absorption [14], high-level radioactive waste solidification [15], and electrochemical energy storage [16, 17]. MXene series materials, as the low-dimensional derivatives, showed potential applications in electrochemical energy storage [18], luminescence [19], catalysis, and other fields [20, 21]. Figure 1 shows the high-frequency keywords of MAX's research. However, MAXs are not a material cornerstone to future industrialization prospects. How to accelerate MAXs into new quality productive forces? It is intrinsic to understand its low-dimensional geometric structure characteristics, and physical and chemical properties, to reveal the correlation of composition, structure, and function and further to realize rational design based on simulation and prediction.
Herein, oriented toward structure and function correlation, the information retrieval on (I) MAX's research timeline from 1960 to the present, (II) structure diversity and classification convention, (III) synthesis route exploration, (IV) prediction based on theory and machine learning, (V) properties, and (VI) functional applications are described in categories to help readers quickly understand the research progress of MAXs. Moreover, by integrating advanced synthesis and characterization techniques and machine learning, some existing pro
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Jian Zhang, Ru Jia, Kar Ban Tan, Jiaming Li, Shichong Xu, Guobing Ying, Wenjuan Han, Ming Lu (2025). A Review of MAX Series Materials: From Diversity, Synthesis, Prediction, Properties Oriented to Functions. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01673-9
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are MAX series materials?
MAX series materials are non-van der Waals layered multi-element compounds with a laminated crystal structure, combining metallic and ceramic properties. They are transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides with the general formula Mn+1AXn.
What are the key properties of MAX materials?
MAX materials exhibit a unique combination of properties: ceramic characteristics such as high-temperature resilience, strength, and oxidation resistance, along with metallic properties like electrical and thermal conductivity, machinability, and impact durability.
How are MAX materials synthesized?
MAX materials are synthesized via various routes including solid-state reaction sintering, melting reaction, and physicochemical deposition. The review discusses these synthesis strategies in detail.
What are the applications of MAX materials?
MAX materials have potential applications in rail transportation lubrication, heating components, electrical contacts, electromagnetic shielding, microwave absorption, high-level radioactive waste solidification, and electrochemical energy storage.
How are new MAX materials predicted?
New MAX materials are predicted using theoretical simulation and machine learning techniques, which help in rational design by correlating composition, structure, and function.
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