Synthesis of nanocrystalline cubic Tantalum(III) nitride powders by nitridation-thermal decomposition

Tantalum(V) nitride, prepared by nitridation of nanosized Ta2O5 at 800 degrees C for 8 h under ammonia flow, was thermally decomposed to cubic nanocrystalline TaN at a temperature of 1000 degrees C for 3 h under argon atmosphere. The resulting powders have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. XRD-pure cubic TaN nanoparticles with a diameter of 50-100 nm can be obtained by the process. The decomposition process was found to depend on the temperature. Mechanisms that account for the decomposition of Tantalum(V) nitride are discussed. The results indicate that the method can permit formation of cubic-phase Tantalum(III) nitride under ambient pressure and moderate temperatures.