Preparation and Characterization of New Molybdenum Nitride or Oxynitride Phases

Abstract

ABSTRACTSeveral methods of synthesizing molybdenum nitride or oxynitride fine powders are presented.We have prepared a γ-Mo2N type oxynitride phase by reacting ammonia with MoO3. The surface area and morphology of the oxynitride powders depend on the synthesis conditions. Characterization of the solids by elemental analysis, X-ray and neutron diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis shows dramatic modification of the stoichiometry of conventional Mo2N nitride. Aging at room temperature under air results in decreasing the material surface area. The initial surface area can be recovered be fine tuning of experimental conditions. MoCl5 and Ca3N2 are reacted in a molten CaCl2 medium leading to a new Mo2N structure type.The reaction between molybdenum sulfide and NH3 produces two different phases depending on the reaction conditions. They are structurally related to δ-MoN.