Michel W. Barsoum (born January 1, 1955, in Cairo, Egypt) is a materials scientist and Distinguished Professor at Drexel University in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He is best known for discovering and characterizing a class of layered ternary carbides and nitrides known as MAX phases,[1] and for pioneering research that led to the development of MXenes, a family of two-dimensional materials derived from MAX phases.[2]
In 2016, Barsoum identified a new deformation mechanism in layered solids labelled a ripplocation.[3] In 2022, he reported on a hugely scalable, inexpensive process to synthesize titania-based nanofilaments that are approximately 5×7 Ų in cross-section, which have shown promise in multiple applications.[4][5] Barsoum’s work has had broad impact in materials science, influencing research in ceramics, nanomaterials, and deformation mechanisms in layered solids.[1][2][3][6]
Barsoum joined Drexel University in 1985 as an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Engineering (now Materials Science and Engineering). He was promoted to associate professor in 1991, full professor in 1997, and distinguished professor in 1999. He served as A.W. Grosvenor Professor from 2009 to 2013.[7][8]
In the mid-1990s, Barsoum pioneered the MAX phases, ternary compounds with the formula Mn+1AXn (where M is a transition metal, A is an A-group element, and X is carbon or nitrogen) that exhibit metallic conductivity and ceramic hardness.[10][11] His group synthesized and characterized many MAX phases, including Ti₃SiC₂, establishing them as thermodynamically stable nanolaminates.[10][12] These materials are used in high-temperature refractories, protective coatings, and nuclear reactor components due to their machinability, thermal shock resistance, and irradiation tolerance.[12][13][14]
MXenes
In 2011, Barsoum co-discovered MXenes, two-dimensional derivatives of MAX phases obtained by etching the A-layer.[2][15] MXenes, known for high conductivity, hydrophilicity, and tunable surface chemistry, have enabled breakthroughs in energy storage (e.g., volumetric capacitances up to 1500 F/cm³), water purification, sensors, and flexible electronics.[16]
Ripplocations
Barsoum identified ripplocations, a universal deformation mechanism in layered solids like graphite and MAX phases, advancing the understanding of mechanical behavior in nanomaterials.[3][6] The major conceptual leap was to show that atomic layers, like all other layered systems, be they composites or geology, will buckle. [17][18]
One-Dimensional Titanates
In 2022, Barsoum and El-Badr discovered a simple, scalable method to synthesize quantum-confined one-dimensional titania-based nanofilaments whose cross-sections are ≈ 5x7Å2. The potential applications are many, such as green hydrogen production, dye degradation, Li-S and Li-ion batteries, and polymer composites. In 2024, he cofounded One-D Nano with G. Schwenk to market and find applications for this new morphology of titania.[4][5]
Publications
Barsoum has authored over 600 peer-reviewed publications, cited over 37,500 times with an h-index of over 150.[19] He holds over 25 patents related to MAX phases and MXenes.[20] His work is widely recognized for its impact on nanomaterials research.[21]
Books
Barsoum has authored two books in materials science:
Fundamentals of Ceramics (McGraw-Hill, 1997; Taylor & Francis, 2002; CRC Press, 2019), a textbook on the structure, properties, and applications of ceramic materials.[22]
MAX Phases: Properties of Machinable Ternary Carbides and Nitrides (Wiley-VCH, 2013, with T. El-Raghy), covering the synthesis, properties, and applications of MAX phases.[23]
Awards and honors
Barsoum has received numerous awards for his contributions to materials science:[8]
1 2 Barsoum, M. W. (2000). "The M_{n+1}AX_n Phases: a New Class of Solids; Thermodynamically Stable Nanolaminates". Progress in Solid State Chemistry. 28 (1–4): 201–281. doi:10.1016/S0079-6786(00)00006-6.
1 2 3 Naguib, M.; Kurtoglu, M.; Presser, V.; Lu, J.; Niu, J.; Heon, M.; Hultman, L.; Gogotsi, Y.; Barsoum, M. W. (2011). "Two Dimensional Nanocrystals Produced by Exfoliation of Ti₃AlC₂". Advanced Materials. 23 (37): 4248–4253. doi:10.1002/adma.201102306. PMID21861270.
1 2 Barsoum, M. W.; El-Raghy, T. (1996). "Synthesis and Characterization of a Remarkable Ceramic: Ti₃SiC₂". Journal of the American Ceramic Society. 79 (7): 1953–1956. doi:10.1111/j.1151-2916.1996.tb08018.x.
↑ Ghidiu, M.; Lukatskaya, M. R.; Zhao, M.-Q.; Gogotsi, Y.; Barsoum, M. W. (2014). "Conductive two-dimensional titanium carbide 'clay' with high volumetric capacitance". Nature. 516 (7529): 78–81. doi:10.1038/nature13970. PMID25470044.
↑ Anasori, B.; Lukatskaya, M. R.; Gogotsi, Y. (2017). "2D metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) for energy storage". Nature Reviews Materials. 2: 16098. doi:10.1038/natrevmats.2016.98.
↑ Barsoum, M. W.; Tucker, G. (2017). "Deformation of Layered Solids: Ripplocations not Basal Dislocations". Scripta Materialia. 139: 166–172. doi:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2017.04.002.
↑ Aslin, J.; Mariani, E.; Dawson, K.; Barsoum, M. W. (2019). "Ripplocations provide a new mechanism for the deformation of phyllosilicates in the lithosphere". Nature Communications. 10: 686. doi:10.1038/s41467-019-08587-2.
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