Synthesis of ternary titanium–niobium nitride nanoparticles by induction thermal plasma

Abstract

High-purity ternary titanium-niobium nitride nanoparticles were prepared by an induction thermal plasma. Metallic Ti and Nb powders served as raw materials. Molar fractions of Nb/(Ti+Nb) were set at various levels including 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1. Ammonia was introduced from the bottom into the plasma equipment as a quench gas. Nanoparticles crystallized in a cubic rock salt structure in the crystallographic space group Fm-3m. All nanoparticles exhibited similar morphology. The average particle size across all samples is approximately 10-14 nm. Elements Ti, Nb, and N are almost uniformly distributed in the nanoparticles. Investigations into the formation mechanism were conducted by examining nucleation temperature and thermodynamic analysis. Ternary titanium-niobium nitride nanoparticles form rapidly through nucleation, condensation, and coagulation with a nitridation reaction. Induction thermal plasma proves to be a highly efficient method for synthesizing ternary titanium-niobium nitride nanoparticles.