Synthesis of TiON Oxynitrides with a Tunable Nitrogen Content

TiON is a solid solution of cubic TiN and cubic TiO, with the ability to adjust its physical and chemical properties by modifying the O/N ratio, thus making it suitable for various applications. However, the synthesis of TiON remains a significant challenge for inorganic chemists. In this work, we have successfully synthesized TiON nanoparticles using the layered oxide CsTiO as the precursor and urea as the nitrogen source. The synthesis process was conducted within a temperature range of 800 to 1200 °C, leading to the transformation of the nitrided products from a two-dimensional layered precursor structure to a three-dimensional structure as the temperature increased. By varying the reaction temperature, the O/N ratio can be controlled. The experimental findings demonstrate that the nitrogen content in TiON nanoparticles increases with rising temperature, ranging from TiON at 800 °C to TiON at 1200 °C. This work highlights the potential of the solid-state method in tailoring the properties of TiON nanoparticles and presents a novel approach for synthesizing oxynitrides.