The Role of Composition and Phase upon the Lattice Nitrogen Reactivity of Ternary Molybdenum Nitrides

The reactivity of the lattice nitrogen in the filled β-Mn structured Co2Mo3N and the η-carbide structured Co3Mo3N and Fe3Mo3N has been investigated under 3:1 H2/Ar at temperatures up to 900 °C. The lattice nitrogen in Co3Mo3N was found to be reactive, as reported previously, whereas Co2Mo3N was shown to be stable up to 800 °C. Upon H2/Ar treatment at 900 °C, the Co2Mo3N, Co3Mo3N and Fe3Mo3N phases decomposed. These results suggest that both metal composition and phase have an influence on the bulk lattice nitrogen reactivity of the ternary nitrides.