High-pressure multianvil synthesis and structure refinement of oxygen-bearing cubic zirconium(IV) nitride

Macroscopic amounts of oxygen-bearing c-Zr3N4 with a cubic Th3P4-type structure are synthesized for the first time (see figure) at high pressures and temperatures. Structure refinement based on X-ray diffraction data is performed. The Raman spectrum, morphology, and microhardness of the synthesized material is measured.