Typical features of nitrogen in nitride-type compounds

Nitride and oxynitride materials have attractive properties directly related to the role played by nitrogen. In particular, a comparison between oxynitrides and oxides highlights the characteristics of a nitrogen N3-/oxygen O2- substitution: an increase in the anionic formal charge. a greater covalent character. a higher cross-linking density in glasses, a reducing character due to the N3-/N-0 redox couple, and modified acid-base properties. Each specific character is illustrated by appropriate examples. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.