Synthesis of one-dimensional nanostructure of chromium nitride

One-dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials, chromium nitride (CrN) nanorods have been prepared initially via a direct thermal solid-state reaction of anhydrous chromium(III) tetrachloride (CrCl3) and sodium azide (NaN3) at a temperature of 600 degrees C for 12 h. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the product is indexed as cubic CrN. Transmission electron microscope images indicate that the sample consists of CrN nanorods with the diameters of 40-60 nm and lengths in the range of 500 nm to 1 mu m. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show the mole ratio of Cr:N as 1.15:1. The possible reaction mechanism is also discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.