Synthesis, plasmonic properties, and CWA simulant decontamination activity of first row early transition metal nitride powders and nanomaterials

摘要

The complexes MCl_3(THF)_3 (M = Ti, V, Cr) were used as precursors to form early transition metal nitrides, and solid solutionsof these isomorphous complexes MxM’ 1−xCl_3(THF)_3 were prepared by co-crystallization. Heating the precursor underNH_3 flow from 800 to 950 ℃ produced powders of the nitride MN, and solid solutions of these precursors producedalloys of the nitrides. Nanomaterials were synthesized by two methods: (1) reaction of a MCl_3(THF)_3 solution with 3 eqof KNH_2 in THF in the presence (or absence) of oleylamine, followed by nitridation under NH_3flow at 650–950 ℃ and (2) loading a porous catalyst support such as pelletized Al_2O_3with the MCl_3(THF)_3 complex, followed by similar heat treatment.The materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, SEM, and optical spectroscopy.Diffuse reflectance and UV–Vis-NIR spectroscopy showed the local surface plasmonic resonances (LSPRs). Although diffusereflectance and UV–Vis-NIR spectroscopy showed LSPRs whose position was sensitive to surface functionalizationand conditions of preparation, preliminary results show TiN nanoparticles have some activity in the degradation of theChemical Warfare Agent (CWA) simulant DEMETON-S, but light plays no role in the mechanism.