Low temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline titanium nitride from a single-source precursor of titanium and nitrogen

Nanocrystalline titanium nitride has been prepared via a convenient route from a single-source precursor of titanium and nitrogen (ammonium fluotitanate) in an autoclave at 650 °C. X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate that the product is cubic titanium nitride, and the cell constant is a = 4.235 Å. Transmission electron microscopy image shows that it consists of particles with an average size of about 40 nm in diameter. The product was also studied by BET and TGA.