Ion Exchange Synthesizes a Metastable Layered Polymorph of MgZrN₂ and MgHfN₂ Semiconductors.

ABSTRACT: The synthesis of ternary nitride materials is uniquely difficult, in large part because elemental N₂ is relatively inert. However, lithium reacts readily with other metals and N₂, making Li-M-N the most numerous subset of ternary nitrides. Here, we use Li₂ZrN₂, a ternary nitride compound with a simple synthesis recipe, as a precursor for ion exchange reactions toward AZrN₂ (A = Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn). In situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction studies show that Li⁺ and Mg²⁺ undergo ion exchange topochemically, preserving the layers of octahedral [ZrN₆]. This reaction yields a metastable layered polymorph of MgZrN₂ (space group R3̅m) rather than the calculated ground state structure (

SUBMITTER: Rom CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11948327 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature