  The MAX phases are a family of of ternary layered material with both metal
and ceramic properties, and it is also precursor ma-terials for synthesis of
two-dimensional MXenes. The theory predicted that there are more than 600
stable ternary layered MAX phases. At present, there are more than 80 kinds of
ternary MAX phases synthesized through experiments, and few reports on MAX
phases where M is a rare earth element. In this study, a new MAX phase Sc2SnC
with rare earth element Sc at the M sites was synthesized through the reaction
sintering of Sc, Sn, and C mixtures. Phase composition and microstructure of
Sc2SnC were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and
X-ray energy spectrum analysis. And structural stability, mechanical and
electronic properties of Sc2SnC was investigated via density functional theory.
This study open a door for ex-plore more unknown ternary layered rare earth
compounds Ren+1SnCn (Re=Sc, Y, La-Nd, n=1) and corresponding rare earth MXenes.
