Prompted by the increased focus on MAX phase materials and their two-dimensional counterparts MXenes

a brief review of the current state of affairs in the synthesis of MAX phases as epitaxial thin films is given. Current methods for synthesis are discussed and suggestions are given on how to increase the material quality even further as well as arrive at those conditions faster. Samples were prepared to exemplify the most common issues involved with the synthesis

and through suggested paths for resolving these issues we attain samples of a quality beyond what has previously been reported.

Impact Statement:

We aim to address the quality of MAX phase thin films and suggest a more robust route for the synthesis of samples of consistent reproducible quality.