Synthesis of TiN nanocrystals with high specific surface area by hydrazide sol-gel method

Nanocrystalline TiN with a high specific surface area was successfully prepared by the hydrazide sol-gel method with N2H4 as the nitrogen source. The effects of Ti sources, heat-treatment atmospheres, and temperature on the crystallization of TiN powder were studied and the crystallization mechanism of TiN nanocrystals was also discussed. TiCl, is superior to TiCl, and isopropoxide in the formation of well-crystallized TiN nanocrystals. NH3 has the advantage over N-2 and Ar in the complete removal of residual carbon in TiN powder. In comparison with the traditional temperature-programmed reduction under flowing NH3 atmosphere, the hydrazide sol-gel route requires a relatively low temperature on the one hand(600 degrees C) and TiN powder prepared by this synthetic approach exhibits a small particle size(10 nm) and an exceedingly high specific surface area(> 135 m(2)/g) and disperses uniformly on the other hand. We expect that this methodology will provide a novel low-temperature route to synthesize nanocrystalline transition metal nitrides through choosing hydrazine as N-source precursor