Synthesis of titanium nitride by a spark-discharge method in liquid ammonia

Titanium nitride powders were synthesized by the spark-discharge method in liquid ammonia at -78 to 130°C and 3.5-10.5 kV discharge voltage using titanium pellets as the starting materials. Titanium nitride possessing nitrogen defect, Tin_1-x (x ≃ 0.5), was obtained as the main product, together with small amounts of α-Ti alloyed with nitrogen. The increase in temperature of the liquid ammonia resulted in an increase in the titanium nitride content in the product but a decrease in the powder production rate. By calcining the mixed powders of TiN_1-x and α-Ti in a nitrogen atmosphere around 1200°C, stoichiometric TiN was obtained as single phase.