Synthesis of TiN, VN, and CrN from Ammonolysis of $TiS_2$, $VS_2$, and Cr_2S_3\hspace{2mm}^1

Abstract

A new route to synthesize pure TiN, VN, and CrN from the ammonolysis of $TiS_2$, $VS_2$, and $Cr_2S_3$ is described. Thermo-gravimetric analysis and temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) of $TiS_2$, $VS_2$, and $Cr_2S_3$ 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