Mn- and Fe-doping of bulk MAX phase Cr2AlC was achieved by microwave heating and spark plasma sintering and non-trivial magnetism is discussed.

V4AlC3 belongs to the intriguing class of materials of so‐called MAX phases that are ternary carbides and nitrides crystallizing in a layered crystal structure with space group P63/mmc. They exhibit excellent mechanical properties combining characteristics of metals as well as ceramics. The synthesis of single‐phase products is far from being trivial since high temperatures are required, while most competing phases are also thermodynamically stable. Herein, we show the non‐conventional solid‐state preparation by susceptor‐assisted microwave heating within 60 min. The crystallinity of the nearly single‐phase compound is enhanced by subsequent densification using the spark plasma sintering technique. The formation mechanism of V4AlC3 is investigated by means of thermoanalysis. Intermediate as well as final products are characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction techniques.

The development of new—cheaper, more efficient, more sustainable, and more reliable—functional materials with useful properties calls for ever-improving, smart, and innovative synthesis strategies. A multitude of inorganic compounds are already used as energy materials, i.e., electrodes, catalysts, permanent magnets, and many more are considered highly promising for these and similar applications. Innovative synthesis techniques are developed, resulting in new compounds as well as known ones with unique structures and morphologies. Here, we will discuss the nonconventional solid-state methods, microwave heating and spark plasma sintering, highlighting their potential for the preparation of a plethora of inorganic compounds. Thermoelectric and magnetic materials are chosen as two examples of energy materials that are relevant for several different areas, such as waste heat recovery, energy generation, and refrigeration. The goal is to provide an overview of the inorganic compounds, ranging from intermetallics to chalcogenides and oxides, which have been prepared using these two nonconventional synthesis techniques. Furthermore, the reaction conditions as well as key properties regarding their thermoelectric and magnetic behavior are summarized.

MAX phases V2AlC and (V/Mn)2AlC were non-conventionally synthesized, (micro)-structurally characterized and their electronic and magnetic properties were discussed.

A new method of preparation of golden‐yellow, microcrystalline, and air‐sensitive single‐phase cerium(III) oxide, Ce2O3, from CeO2 and Ce was developed. Solid solutions (Ce1–xLax)O2–0.5x (0 < x < 0.55) in the system CeO2‐La2O3 and (Ce1–xLax)2O3 (0 < x < 1) in the system Ce2O3‐La2O3 were synthesized and investigated by means of X‐ray powder diffraction.