Science of Sintering, 54 (2022) 305-319
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https://doi.org/10.2298/SOS2203305M
UDK: 621.926.087; 549.2
Mechanosynthesis of β-Cr2N using BN as the Nitrogen Source
A. Martinez-Garcia1,2, K. Navarro-Mtz3, E. Lopez-Vazquez2, M. ValeraZaragoza1, E. A. Juarez-Arellano1*)
1
Instituto de Química Aplicada, Universidad del Papaloapan, Circuito Central 200,
Parque Industrial, 68301, Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, México.
2
Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Av. Víctor
Bravo Ahuja 125, 68030, Oaxaca, México.
3
Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad del Papaloapan, Circuito Central 200, Parque
Industrial, 68301, Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, México.
Abstract:
The mechanosynthesis of hexagonal chromium nitride (β-Cr2N) is explored by the
high-energy ball-milling of Cr and h-BN. The β-Cr2N onset formation is observed after 20
min of milling, although the complete reaction is achieved at 100 min of milling. Two
different 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN molar ratios were evaluated, observing that the molar ratio
plays an essential role in the end products during mechanosynthesis. The products were
characterized by XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA and DSC),
SEM, and surface area (BET). A preliminary phase stability map vs. accumulative energy
(∆Evaccum) has been constructed. The accumulative energy needed for the complete β-Cr2N
formation is ∆Evaccum > 720 kJ/g.
Keywords: β-Cr2N phase; Chromium nitride; High-energy ball-milling; Accumulated
energy.
1. Introduction
Transitions metal nitrides have gained considerable attention because of
properties such as high hardness, high-temperature chemical stability, high-temperature
electrical conductivity, or high abrasion resistance [1-3]. These properties make them
ideal materials in applications where friction reduction, wear resistance, and corrosion
resistance properties are needed [4,5]. In particular, chromium nitrides (CrxNy) have
shown superior chemical and physical properties than TiN, the most used material in the
industry [6-8]. In addition, recent studies have shown that chromium nitrides possess
promising characteristics as coating materials, like good oxidation resistance, corrosion
resistance, and lower friction coefficient [9-13].
The chromium-nitrogen system is relatively simple, although, to this day, there is
only an early stage phase diagram [14,15]. There are only two known thermodynamic
�m, NaCl-type) and β-Cr2N (P3
�1m, CdI2stable chromium nitride phases: γ-CrN (Fm3
type). The γ-CrN phase is usually synthesized industrially at temperatures around 1000oC
for extended periods (2-3 weeks) by reacting: 1) chromium hydrides with ammonia or a
mixture of nitrogen-hydrogen gas, or 2) metallic chromium powder with ammonia
[16,17]. Another method used in the production of γ-CrN powders is through
_____________________________
*)
Corresponding author:
[email protected]
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ammonolysis reactions [18]. Multiple reports have shown that γ-CrN can be obtained by
a combination of short milling times and a subsequent thermal treatment [19,17] or by
prolonged (25 hours) high-energy ball-milling treatment [20,21].
The β-Cr2N phase is obtained by the direct chromium conversion in a nitrogen
atmosphere. However, this method regularly leads to a mixture of β-Cr2N and γ-CrN
phases [17,22,23]. Other methodologies used in the synthesis of the β-Cr2N phase are:
thermal decomposition of γ-CrN above 1100oC [24-26], self-propagating hightemperature synthesis [27], and solid-state metathesis reactions of chromium at elevated
temperatures [28]. Mechanical milling has been used as an activation mechanism, but the
final product is a mixture of Cr, β-Cr2N, and γ-CrN [17,19].
Chromium nitrides have very similar properties, such as hardness (γ-CrN - 13-17
GPa, β-Cr2N - 18.5 GPa) and bulk modulus (γ-CrN - 243 (10) GPa, β-Cr2N - 275 (23)
GPa) [29-32]. Both phases are used in hard coatings and thermoelectric materials. They
are also important as secondary metallurgical phases in refractory alloys, special steels,
and dispersion strengtheners [28,33,34]. Nevertheless, the γ-CrN phase decomposes to βCr2N between 1150-1300oC [25,26]. Therefore, the β-Cr2N phase has grown in
importance in the hardening processes of chromium-containing steel work pieces due to
its thermal stability [35,36].
As previously described, the synthesis of chromium nitrides involves long
periods. Therefore, the search for new methodologies is of great importance. High-energy
ball-milling has proven to be a powerful technique for obtaining materials such as
nitrides, carbides, borides, intermetallic and metastable phases [37-44]. Ball-milling has
advantages such as easy operation, easy to scale industrially, short processing times, and
that it could produce nanostructured powders. However, the search for new methods
should not be limited to synthesis methods, but it also explores different alternatives of
nitrogen sources instead of N2 and ammonia, customarily used. Besides, the strong N ≡
N triple bond results in the difficulty of converting N2 into other compounds. Thus, the
use of new nitrogen sources during mechanical milling could improve the synthesis of
chromium nitrides. For example, Sun et al. reduced the c-ZrN synthesis time using LiN
as a nitrogen source [45], or Garcia-Mendoza et al. demonstrated the formation of the
metastable δ-TaN phase by a combination of high-energy ball-milling and the use of BN
as nitrogen source [44].
Therefore, this study evaluates the combination of high-energy ball-milling and
h-BN, as a nitrogen source, for chromium nitrides mechanosynthesis. To ensure the
formation of γ-CrN and β-Cr2N phases, two different Cr:BN ratios were explored
(1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN). The products of the milling process were identified and
characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
(FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential
Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and surface area
analysis by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. A milling energy map was also
built using Burgio's mathematical model [46].
2. Materials and Experimental Procedures
2.1 High energy ball milling
Chromium (Sigma-Aldrich, 99.9 %) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN, SigmaAldrich, 98 %) powders in the molar ratio of 1Cr:1BN, and 2Cr:1BN, were homogenized
in an agate mortar and placed in the milling vials.
The mechanosynthesis was carried out in a planetary ball-mill (Pulverisette 7
premium line, FRITSCH). Vials (80 ml) and balls (15 of 1 cm) of tungsten carbide were
used as a milling material. A main disk rotation rate of 600 rpm, a ratio of transmission
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between bowls and main disk of -2:1, a ratio between the mass of the balls and the mass
of the sample (ball to powder ratio, BPR) of 115:1, and different milling times were used.
The milling vials were hermetically sealed with an N2 atmosphere (N2, Infra, 99.99 %) to
avoid chromium oxidation from the O2 or H2O present in the air during the milling. The
milling was done in cycles of 5 min milling and 10 min pause for cooling to evade
overheating.
2.2 Characterization
2.2.1. Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
Powder X-ray diffraction patterns were collected in air and at room temperature
in a Bruker D-8 Advance diffractometer with Cu Kα1Kα2 radiation. A sodium iodide (NaI)
scintillation detector and flat polymer sample holder were used. The 2θ interval explored
was 10° - 90° with 0.1° step size, 4 s counting time, continuous mode, and spinning of
30 rpm. Rietveld refinement has been done using the program FULLPROF [47]. Linear
interpolation between approximately 28 manually selected points for the background and
a pseudo-Voigt profile function has been used.
2.2.2. Spectroscopies (FTIR and Raman)
Infrared spectra were obtained from a standard infrared spectrometer model
100FT-IR (ATR, Perkin Elmer). The characterization was carried out by scanning the mid
and near-infrared range (4000 - 600 cm-1). Raman spectra were obtained on equipment
constructed and operated at Geosciences Institute from Frankfurt University. An argon
laser with a wavelength of 532.12 nm was used. Also, between 10 and 20 mg of sample
was placed on glass slides and covered with glass coverslips.
2.2.3. Thermal Analysis
Thermogravimetric curves were obtained using a Perkin Elmer STA 6000
simultaneous thermal analyzer. The sample (10-20 mg) was placed in an open alumina
pan at room temperature using a heating rate of 10 °C/min in temperature intervals
between 30 and 800oC with constant N2 flow. The calorimetric analysis was carried out
using a Discovery brand DSC 250 calorimetric analyzer. The samples (1-2 mg) were
placed in closed alumina capsules to be treated at room temperature using a heating rate
of 100 °C/min in temperature intervals between 30-400oC with constant N2 flow.
2.2.4. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
SEM observations were made using a Phenom-World Pro X Desktop scanning
electron microscope using a 10 kV voltage. The uncoated samples were mounted on
double-sided sticking carbon tape.
2.2.5. Surface area (BET)
Adsorption/desorption isothermal was obtained at -196oC in BELSORP-mini
equipment. Samples were degassed at 300oC with a constant (N2) flow for 2 hours. BET
method was used to calculate the surface area [48].
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2.3. Mathematical model
The accumulated energy supplied for the planetary ball-mill ∆Evaccum to the
powder mixtures during the milling is calculated with the mathematical model described
by Burgio et al. and Martinez-Garcia et al. [43,46,49]. However, accumulated energy
supplied ∆Evaccum equation can be simplified as a function of the experimentally
controlled variables such as the density of the milling material (ρb), the speed of the ball
mill main disk (Wd), the milling time (t), and the sample mass (ms), Equation 1. The
advantage of using this simplified equation is that once the accumulated energy supplied
is known, and different milling conditions can be compared only as a function of energy.
∆𝐸𝐸𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 = 3.93097𝑥𝑥10−14 �
𝜌𝜌 𝑏𝑏 𝑊𝑊𝑑𝑑3 𝑡𝑡
𝑣𝑣 𝑠𝑠
�
(1)
A chromium nitride milling-energy map was built using the ∆Evaccum and the experimental
results from XRD, FTIR, and TGA. The map was set up as described by Martinez-Garcia
et al. [43,49].
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Mechanosynthesis
The powder diffraction patterns showing the phase evolution of the 1Cr:1BN and
2Cr:1BN stoichiometric mixtures during high-energy ball-milling can be seen in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the milling products of 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN
mixtures at different milling times.
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The starting mixtures can be identified as a mechanical mixture of metallic Cr
(PDF-00-006-0694) and h-BN (PDF-01-079-675). The diffraction patterns from the
samples up to 20 min of milling show broad chrome's reflections while the h-BNs'
reflections are no longer observed. Similar behavior is observed in both stoichiometric
mixtures (Fig. 1). This effect is due to the formation of structural defects promoted by the
milling. However, from 20 min of milling, a new reflection at around 42.8° in 2θ is
observed. This reflection is associated with the β-Cr2N (111) plane (PDF-00-051-0939).
Although the intensity of β-Cr2N reflections increases with prolonged milling time, the
intensity of WC reflections (PDF-00-051-0939) from the milling material also increases.
Thus, the presence of WC is very prominent after 60 min of milling.
The hardness of WC (22-28 GPa [1]) is higher than β- Cr2N (18.5 GPa [32]).
However, some authors have shown that the particle size reduction (Hall-Petch effect)
and decrease of metal vacancies increase the hardness of metallic nitrides [44,50,51].
Sanjin'es reported 27 GPa of microhardness and 22 GPa of nano hardness in β-Cr2N thin
films deposited by magnetron sputtering [52]. Therefore, the hardness of the
mechanosynthesized β-Cr2N phase obtained in this study may have increased due to
structural micro-deformation promoted by high-energy ball- milling.
This increment in hardness could be responsible for WC's presence in the
samples after the onset of formation of the β-Cr2N phase (20 min of milling).
It has been reported that the hardness of metal transition nitrides decreases with the
increment of metal vacancies. For example, the hardness of δ-TaN, δ-Ta0.82N, and δTa0.67N are 26 GPa, 18.2 Gpa, and 14.7 GPa, respectively [44]. Thus, although there are
no similar reports regarding the β-Cr2N phase, from Fig. 2, it can be seen that the
products from the 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN stoichiometric mixtures behave differently. The
reflections of the β-Cr2N phase observed in 2Cr:1BN show more broadening with milling
than the phase obtained in 1Cr:1BN. Thus, in the experiments with a 1Cr:1BN molar ratio
is very likely to have the formation of stoichiometric β-Cr2N with hardness similar or
greater than the milling material, while in the experiments with 2Cr:1BN molar ratio is
very likely to have the formation of non-stoichiometric β-Cr2−xN with metal vacancies.
Nevertheless, further investigations are needed to corroborate this observation.
Fig. 2. Riveted tenement of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the 1Cr:1BN
sample after 100 min of milling.
The Rietveld refinement of the 1Cr:1BN sample after 100 min of milling is
shown in Fig. 2, while the lattice parameters and crystal structure are shown in Tab. I. The
lattice parameters values obtained here agrees with what is reported: β-Cr2N (a = 4.80 Å,
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c = 4.47 Å, V = 89.19 Å3; PDF-00-035-0803) and WC (a = 2.90 Å, c = 2.83 Å, V =
20.76 Å3; PDF-00-051-0939). The quantitative phase analysis using the Rietveld
refinement of the X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the 1Cr:1BN sample after 100 min
of milling is a mixture of ∼73% β-Cr2N and ∼27% WC (Tab. I).
Tab. I Lattice parameters and crystal structure of β-Cr2N and WC (milling material), obtained
from Rietveld refinement of the XRD pattern of the 1Cr:1BN sample after 100 min of milling
(Fig. 2).
β-Cr2N
Parameter
WC
Lattice Parameter
a/Å
c/Å
V / Å3
4.801(1)
4.480(1)
89.46(3)
2.903(1)
2.836(1)
20.70(1)
Crystal Structure
Atoms
P3� 1m
Cr // N
W // C
Wyckoff Position
6k // 1a ; 2d
1a // 1f
Space Group
P6� m2
1 2
1
3 3
2
0.348(1),0,0.262(1) – 0,0,0 ; , ,,
Positions
Fract. / %
73.3 (1)
1 2
1
3 3
2
0,0,0 – , ,,
26.7 (1)
Reliability Factors
Rp = 2.38; Rwp = 3.10; Rexp = 2.97; X2 = 1.09
Although the formation of β-Cr2N was observed in the XRD patterns, the doubt that
emerges is whether β-Cr2N is actually formed or whether a Cr-BN phase or CrxBy phase
is obtained instead during the mechanosynthesis. So far, the formation of ternary Cr-B-N
phases has not been reported. Ma et al. deposited Cr-B-N coats on stainless steel and Si
disks using closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering; they reported that the coats
were a mixture of γ-CrN, CrB2, and h-BN. Besides [53], there are no reports of
chromium borates forming isostructural phases to β-Cr2N [54]. Therefore, to evaluate the
status of boron and h-BN in the samples after 100 min of milling, spectroscopic analysis
was carried out (Fig. 3).
3.2. Spectroscopy analysis
Infrared spectra of the 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN samples milled during 100 min are
shown in Fig. 3. Although the chromium nitrides and chromium borides do not show
characteristic signals in the mid and near-infrared spectra [55-57], the h-BN does. The
FTIR absorption spectrum of h-BN has distinctive bands at 1352 and 798 cm-1
corresponding to B-N bond stretching vibration and B–N–B out-of-plane bending
vibration, respectively [44,57]. In Fig. 3, it can be seen that none of the samples show
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these bands. Thus there are no B-N and B-N-B bonds of h-BN in the samples after 100
min of milling. Garcia-Mendoza et al. showed similar behavior during the
mechanosynthesis of δ-TaN using h-BN as a nitrogen source [44].
Fig. 3. FTIR and Raman spectra of the 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN samples after 100
min of milling.
Iizumi et al. reported the mechanosynthesis of CrB and CrB2 starting from the elements
after 10 hours of milling [59]. Consequently, Cr-B phases need more mechanical energy
than Cr-N phases to form. Such energies are not reached in this study. Besides,
according to the Cr-B equilibrium diagram, 1400oC is the minimum temperature
necessary to trigger the reaction [60], while for the Cr-N system is 700oC [14]. This
0
) of β-Cr2N (-125.5 kJ
difference can be attributed to the enthalpy of formation (∆𝐻𝐻𝑓𝑓(298)
-1
-1
-1
mol ), γ-CrN (-117.5 kJ mol ), CrB (-78.9 kJ mol ) and CrB2 (-119.5 kJ mol -1) [59, 61,
62]. Therefore, since the β-Cr2N phase has a slightly more negative enthalpy of
formation, it is considered that its production is more favorable during the
mechanosynthesis of Cr-BN mixtures.
Raman spectra of the 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN samples milled during 100 min are
1
shown in Fig. 3. β-Cr2N belongs to the 𝐷𝐷3𝑑𝑑
group symmetry presenting five active modes in
Raman scattering: 2A1g + 3Eg (at 215, 267, 284, 385 and 490 cm-1 and bands due to
second-order combination at 586, 667, 760, 943 and 1050 cm-1) [63]. In the 1Cr:1BN and
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2Cr:1BN samples (Fig. 3), the first-order active modes could not be observed due to the
low intensity and widening of the peaks in the spectra. However, considering that XRD
demonstrated the formation of the β-Cr2N phase, it could be that the broad peak observed
around 200-600 cm−1 is the sum of the scattering of the first-order active modes of βCr2N. The second-order active modes are observed. Boron (827 and 1166 cm-1) and WC
(267, 716, and 805 cm-1) active modes were not observed or are overlapped with other
signals [63-66].
In Raman spectroscopy, several factors could affect the width, intensity, or
displacement of the peaks due to reduced vibration modes. Some of the more critical
factors are particle size, non-stoichiometry, amorphization, or structural defects [63,67,
68]. Refractory materials such as chromium nitride are known to contain many structural
defects [56]. Besides, high-energy ball milling promotes non-stoichiometric compounds
and a high concentration of structural defects during milling [69]. These factors influence
the Raman spectrum results in our study since the 2Cr:1BN sample is less crystalline and
has more structural defects than the Cr:1BN sample (Fig. 1), leading to a less intense and
more broad Raman spectrum (Fig. 3).
3.3. Thermal analysis
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry
(DSC) were performed on the 1Cr:1BN sample after 100 min of milling to determine its
thermal stability (Fig. 4). This sample was selected since it was the one that shows the
highest content of β-Cr2N (Fig. 1). The thermogravimetric curve shows two-weight losses
and one weight gains up to 800oC (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4. Thermogravimetric and Differential Scanning Calorimetric curves of 1Cr:1BN
after 100 min of milling.
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The first weight loss of ∼1.8 wt% is observed between 30-200oC, and it is associated
with humidity evaporation. The second weight loss of ∼0.8 wt% observed at 200-400oC
could be related to the decomposition of metastable phases of chromium oxides or
hydrated chromium oxides [70,71]. These phases could be formed by exposing the sample
to the environment. The weight gain of ∼2.7 wt% is observed between 400-800oC, and it is
associated with the interaction of boron with the N2 gas (buoyancy and drag) used in TGA
measurements. Mirkarimi et al. reported that the CVD process's optimal temperature to
form c-BN thin films is between 427 and 527oC [72]. This temperature region agrees
with the B-N phase diagram reported by Mujica et al. [73]. Thus, the boron from the hBN phase remains unreacted and amorphous in the sample after the high-energy ball
milling, and during the TGA measurements, it reacts with the N2 gas used.
The temperature-dependence of the heat flow for the 1Cr:1BN sample after 100
min of milling up to 400oC is shown in Fig. 4 where two signals are observed. The first
one is an endothermic signal at ∼75oC, associated with the evaporation of the sample's
humidity adsorbed. The second is an exothermic signal that starts at 275oC and continues
after 400oC, related to the decomposition of metastable phases of chromium oxides and
hydrated chromium oxides [70,71]. These results complement and strengthen the
thermogravimetric analysis results.
3.4. Morphological and surface analysis
The reported β-Cr2N morphology is homogeneous agglomerate particles, without
specific geometry and wide particle size distribution, where the size is related to the
synthesis method. For example, nitriding of Cr in ammonia gives particle sizes between
200-300 nm [74], while self-propagating high-temperature synthesis provides
agglomerates of 1.5 µm [27].
Fig. 5. SEM micrographs of the 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN samples after 100 min of
milling.
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The morphology and topography of 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN samples after 100 min of
milling are shown in Fig. 5. The micrographs show agglomerate particles of
heterogeneous appearance, without specific geometry and particle size below 30 µm.
These agglomerates were partially sintered during the high-energy ball-milling process
(Fig. 5). Although, no significant difference was observed among the 1Cr:1BN and
2Cr:1BN samples.
Fig. 6. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm and surface area, by the BET method,
of 1Cr:1BN after 100 min of milling.
There are very few reports of the surface area of β-Cr2N. Jiang et al. and
Michalsky and Pfromm reported surface areas of 0.61 m2/g and 0.4 m2/g, respectively
[75,76]. Measurements of the specific surface area of 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN samples
after 100 min of milling gives surface areas of 1.75 m2/g and 1.71 m2/g, respectively. No
significant difference was observed among the 1Cr:1BN and 2Cr:1BN adsorption
isotherms. Fig. 6 shows the characteristic adsorption isotherm of 1Cr:1BN after 100 min
of milling. According to the IUPAC classification, the adsorption isotherm is type III; no
inflection point is observed. Therefore, the adsorption is giving by capillary condensation
[77]. This type is characteristic of nonporous or macroporous solid materials with
relatively weak adsorbate-adsorbent interactions. The adsorbed molecules are clustered
around the most favorable sites on the particles [77,78]. The hysteresis loop is Type H3,
where the lower limit of the desorption isotherm indicates that the desorption is
cavitation-induced. The origin of the loop behavior could be the particle's shape [79].
Thus, the isotherm curve shape suggests that the particles are nonporous and that the
specific surface areas depend only on the particles' surface.
3.5. Phase stability map vs. accumulative energy (∆Evaccum)
A phase stability map vs. accumulative energy (∆Evaccum) was constructed (Fig. 7).
The map shows three different regions. In the first region (0-175 kJ/g), the starting
materials (Cr and h-BN) are only amorphized. The second region (175-720 kJ/g)
corresponds to the partial formation of the β-Cr2N phase. While the third region, >720
kJ/g, corresponds to a mixture of β-Cr2, WC (contamination from the grinding material),
and amorphous boron (from the BN). Usually, the optimization of a high-energy ballmilling synthesis process requires many experiments due to a large number of variables in
the process. However, knowing the ∆Evaccum needed for the complete formation of β-Cr2N,
different milling conditions (rpm, time, sample mass, density, etc.) could be used.
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Fig. 7. Phase stability map vs. accumulated energy (ΔEvaccum) for the mechanosynthesis of
β-Cr2N from Cr and h-BN.
4. Conclusion
The mechanosynthesis of β-Cr2N, starting from Cr and h-BN, is observed after a
short milling time. Compared with previous studies, in this study, only the β-Cr2N phase
is obtained. Even though the system Cr-N is simple, the starting xCr:yBN molar ratio
plays an essential role in the end products during mechanosynthesis. Although the
complete reaction was observed at 100 min of milling, the obtained sample shows low
crystallinity and high structural defects in a mixture of ∼73% β-Cr2N and ∼27% WC
(contamination from the grinding material). Nevertheless, knowing the ∆Evaccum needed
for the entire β-Cr2N formation (>720 kJ/g), different milling conditions could be used to
reduce the milling time, reducing the deformation and strains in the sample and reducing
or eliminating the contamination from the grinding material.
Acknowledgments
AMG acknowledges the scholarship granted by CONACyT (279527) and thanks to
Prof. Björn Winkler (Institut für Geowissenschaften, Frankfurt University) for all the
support given during the research stay. CONACyT supported this work (INFRA-2015-01252013, LN-2015- 01-252013, and LN-2016-271911).
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Сажетак: Механохемијска синтеза хексагоналног хром нитрида (β-Cr2N) је
истражена високо-енергетским млевењем Cr и h-BN. Почетак формирања β-Cr2N је
примећен након 20 min млевења, иако је целокупна реакција завршена после 100 min.
Проучавана су два различита молска односа 1Cr:1BN и 2Cr:1BN, и закључено је да
молски односи имају кључну улогу у финалним продуктима механохемијске реакције.
Продукти су испитивани уз XRD, FTIR и Раман спектроскопију, термијске анализе
(TGA и DSC), SEM, и специфичну површину (BET). Направљена је пелиминарна мапа
стабилности фаза у функцији акумулативне енергије (∆Evaccum). The Акумулативна
енергија потребна за комплетирање реакције формирања β-Cr2N је ∆Evaccum >720 kJ/g.
Кључне речи: β-Cr2N фаза, хром нитрид, високо-енергетско млевење, акумулативна
енергија.
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