Synthesis of a New MAX Compound (Cr0.5V0.5)2GeC and its Compressive Behavior up to 49 GPa

In this paper we report for the first time the synthesis of a new ternary layered ceramic (Cr0.5V0.5)2GeC, a 211 Mn+1AXn compound by hot-pressing. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize and confirm the hexagonal crystal structure of this ternary layered ceramic. The calculated lattice parameters are a = 2.9773 A and c = 12.1619 A. Using a diamond anvil cell and synchrotron radiation we also report the pressure dependencies of the lattice parameters. No phase transformation was observed and the phase is stable up to 49 GPa. The bulk modulus of (Cr0.5V0.5)2GeC calculated using the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state is 219 ± 5 GPa with K? = 4.1 ± 0.3, which is higher than the end members V2GeC and Cr2GeC.