Synthesis of nanocrystalline titanium nitride at low temperature and its thermal stability

Abstract Nanocrystalline titanium nitride has been prepared via a convenient route by the reaction of metallic magnesium powder with titanium dioxide and ammonium chloride in an autoclave at 650 °C. X-ray powder diffraction pattern indicated that the product was cubic titanium nitride, and the cell constant was a  = 4.261 A. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed that it consisted of particles with an average size of about 30 nm in diameter. The product was also studied by BET and TGA. It had good thermal stability and oxidation resistance below 350 °C in air.