Mechanochemical synthesis of vanadium nitride

Vanadium nitride (VN) has been prepared by mechanosynthesis from vanadium metal under a pressurized nitrogen atmosphere in a short milling time. The characterization of the final product by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron energy loss (EELS), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is presented. The final product, VN with 96% of purity, is obtained at room temperature with nanometric particle size and a very high microhardness after sintering. A relationship between microstructure and microhardness as well as a comparison between the VN obtained mechanical and thermal method is also presented. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.