Nanoparticles of superconducting gamma-Mo2N and delta-MoN

摘要

We have been able to prepare nanoparticles (similar to 4 nm diameter) of cubic gamma-Mo2N by a simple procedure involving the reaction of MoCl5 with urea at 873 K. The nanoparticles show a superconducting transition around 6.5 K. The gamma-Mo2N nanoparticles are readily transformed to nanoparticles of delta-MoN with a slightly larger diameter on heating in a NH3 atmosphere at 573 K. Phase-pure delta-MoN obtained by this means shows a superconducting transition around 5 K. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.