Synthesis of nanocrystalline VN via thermal liquid–solid reaction

Nanocrystalline vanadium nitride (VN) was prepared by a direct thermal liquid–solid reaction between vanadium chloride (VCl4) and sodium azide (NaN3) at 600 °C. Characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS and PL, the composition and morphology of the product were confirmed. The possible reaction mechanism was also discussed.