Structure of ceramics produced through high-temperature nitridation of hafnium foil

The high-temperature hafnium nitridation process, with HfNx formation, comprises two stages. With increasing nitridation temperature and time, the lattice parameter of the nitride decreases. The observed discrete nucleation of nitride microcrystals on the surface is a consequence of metal diffusion through an amorphous carboxynitride. No structural defects were detected by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy in selected areas.