Synthesis of TiN, VN, and CrN from ammonolysis of TiS2, VS2, and Cr2S3

A new route to synthesize pure TiN, VN, and CrN from the ammonolysis of TiS2, VS2, and Cr2S3 is described. Thermogravimetric analysis and temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) of TiS2, VS2, and Cr2S3 with ammonia are employed to understand the reaction pathway to nitride formation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies confirm the formation of pure nitride phases, Reactivity of these nitride powder toward oxidation was examined by TPR studies. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that TiN is Pauli-paramagnetic and VN is weakly paramagnetic, whereas CrN shows a paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition at 280 K. Electrical conductivity measurements show TiN and VN are metallic, whereas CrN is semiconducting. (C) 1997 Academic Press.