Novel synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of nano-structured γ-Mo2N and γ-Co0.25Mo1.75N nitrides

Abstract Novel synthesis of nano-structured and porous γ-Mo 2 N and γ-Co 0.25 Mo 1.75 N materials have been successfully achieved. The methodologies involve (i) the reaction of metal ions with hydrazine and borohydride resulting MoO 3 based procursors and (ii) their subsequent nitridation using NH 3 (g) at 700 °C. γ-Mo 2 N and γ-Co 0.25 Mo 1.75 N materials crystallize in fcc structure with lattice parameters, ‘a’ = 4.193 (±5) A and 4.198 (±2) A, respectively. TEM and XRD studies confirm nano-crystalline nature of γ-Mo 2 N and γ-Co 0.25 Mo 1.75 N nitrides having TEM particle sizes of 5 and 12 nm and crystallite sizes of 6 and 11 nm, respectively. HRTEM study confirms lattice stacking and porous structures. BET surface area study indicates high and moderate surface areas for γ-Mo 2 N and γ-Co 0.25 Mo 1.75 N nitride materials, i.e. 53 and 12 m 2 /g, respectively which confirm mesoporous behavior. M vs H plots of γ-Mo 2 N and γ-Co 0.25 Mo 1.75 N materials show weak ferromagnetism having coercivities values of 2838 and 296 Oe, respectively.