The reactivity of lattice nitrogen within the Ni2Mo3N and NiCoMo3N phases

Abstract In this study, the reactivity of bulk lattice nitrogen within the filled β-Mn structured Ni 2 Mo 3 N phase has been investigated by application of powder neutron diffraction and heterolytic nitrogen isotopic exchange measurements. In contrast to Co 3 Mo 3 N, despite the similarity in the N immediate local environment comprising NMo 6 octahedra, its reactivity is found to be limited and this lower reactivity was maintained upon the introduction of a significant proportion of cobalt to yield its filled β-Mn structured CoNiMo 3 N quaternary nitride counterpart.