Synthesis of TiON oxynitrides with a tunable nitrogen content

TiON is a solid solution of cubic TiN and cubic TiO, with the ability to adjust its physical and chemical properties by modifying the O/N ratio, thus making it suitable for various applications. However, the synthesis of TiON remains a significant challenge for inorganic chemists. In this work, we have successfully synthesized TiON nanoparticles using the layered oxide Cs_0.68Ti_1.83O₄ as the precursor and urea as the nitrogen source. The synthesis process was conducted within a temperature range of 800 to 1200 °C, leading to the transformation of the nitrided products from a two-dimensional layered precursor structure to a three-dimensional structure as the temperature increased. By varying the reaction temperature, the O/N ratio can be controlled. The experimental findings demonstrate that the nitrogen content in TiON nanoparticles increases with rising temperature, ranging from TiO_0.8N_0.2 at 800 °C to TiO_0.25N_0.75 at 1200 °C. This work highlights the potential of the solid-state method in tailoring the properties of TiON nanoparticles and presents a novel approach for synthesizing oxynitrides.