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{{lowercasetitle}}
[[Image:4 11nitride.svg|thumb|325px|right|A diagram of (β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>). This drawing represents one layer in a 3-dimensional molecule. Each carbon atom has four separate bonds and each nitrogen atom three; bonds not depicted in this diagram are to atoms in the layer above or below this one.]]
{{Chembox
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Beta carbon nitride valence density.png|thumb|right|Valence charge density of β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> in the [0001] plane. The contours are in units of electrons per cell. The contour interval is 20 electrons per cell.]] -->
| ImageFile = 4 11nitride.svg
| ImageCaption = Lattice structure of (β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>).]]
| IUPACName = β-Carbon nitride


|Section1={{Chembox Identifiers
'''Beta carbon nitride''' (β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) is a [[superhard material]] predicted to be harder than diamond.<ref>{{ cite journal | journal = Nature | date = 5 Jun 2000 | url = http://www.nature.com/news/2000/000511/full/news000511-1.html | title = News: Crunchy filling | author = Ball, P. | doi = 10.1038/news000511-1 }}</ref>
| MeSHName = Carbon+nitride
| StdInChI_Ref =
| StdInChI = 1S/N4C3/c1-5-2-6(1)3(5)7(1,2)4(5)6
| StdInChIKey_Ref =
| StdInChIKey =
| SMILES = N13[C]25N4[C]16N2[C]34N56
| InChIKey =
}}
|Section2={{Chembox Properties
| C=3 | N=4
}}
| Section4 = {{Chembox Structure
| Structure_ref = <ref name="ref5">{{ cite journal |author1=Yin, L. W. |author2=Li, M. S. |author3=Liu, Y. X. |author4=Sui, J. L. |author5=Wang, J. M. | title = Synthesis of Beta Carbon Nitride Nanosized Crystal through Mechanochemical Reaction | journal = Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter | volume = 15 | issue = 2 | pages = 309–314 | year = 2003 | doi = 10.1088/0953-8984/15/2/330 |bibcode=2003JPCM...15..309Y |s2cid=250752987 }}</ref>
| CrystalStruct = [[Hexagonal]], [[Pearson symbol|hP14]]
| SpaceGroup = P6<sub>3</sub>/m No. 176
| LattConst_a = 6.36 Å
| LattConst_c = 4.648 Å
}}
}}
'''β-Carbon nitride''' (''beta''-carbon nitride), β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, is a [[superhard material]] predicted to be harder than diamond.<ref>{{ cite journal | journal = Nature | date = 2000 | title = News: Crunchy filling | author = Ball, P. | doi = 10.1038/news000511-1 | s2cid = 211729235 }}</ref>


The material was first proposed in 1985 by [[Marvin L. Cohen|Marvin Cohen]] and Amy Liu. Examining the nature of [[crystalline]] [[covalent bond|bonds]] they theorised that [[carbon]] and [[nitrogen]] atoms could form a particularly short and strong bond in a stable [[crystal lattice]] in a ratio of 1:1.3. That this material would be harder than [[diamond]] on the [[Mohs scale of mineral hardness|Mohs scale]] was first proposed in 1989.<ref name="ref2">{{ cite journal |author1=Liu, A. Y. |author2=Cohen, M. L. | title = Prediction of New Low Compressibility Solids | url = http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/245/4920/841 | journal = Science | volume = 245 | issue = 4920 | doi = 10.1126/science.245.4920.841 | pages = 841–842 | year = 1989 | pmid=17773359}}</ref>
The material was first proposed in 1985 by Amy Liu and [[Marvin L. Cohen]]. Examining the nature of [[crystalline]] [[covalent bond|bonds]] they theorised that [[carbon]] and [[nitrogen]] atoms could form a particularly short and strong bond in a stable [[crystal lattice]] in a ratio of 1:1.3, and that this material could be harder than [[diamond]].<ref name="ref2">{{ cite journal |author1=Liu, A. Y. |author2=Cohen, M. L. | title = Prediction of New Low Compressibility Solids | journal = Science | volume = 245 | issue = 4920 | doi = 10.1126/science.245.4920.841 | pages = 841–842 | year = 1989 | pmid=17773359|bibcode=1989Sci...245..841L |s2cid=39596885 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1230990 }}</ref>


The material has been considered difficult to produce and could not be synthesized for many years. Recently, the production of beta carbon nitride was achieved. For example, nanosized beta carbon nitride crystals and nanorods of this material were prepared by means of an approach involving mechanochemical processing.<ref>{{ cite journal |author1=Niu, C. |author2=Lu, Y. Z. |author3=Lieber, C. M. | title = Experimental Realization of the Covalent Solid Carbon Nitride | url = http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/261/5119/334 | journal = Science | volume = 261 | issue = 5119 | pages = 334–337 | year = 1993 | doi = 10.1126/science.261.5119.334 | pmid=17836844}}</ref><ref>{{ cite journal | author1 = Martín-Gil, J. | author2 = Martín-Gil, F. J. | author3 = Sarikaya, M. | author4 = Qian, M. | author5 = José-Yacamán, M. | author6 = Rubio, A. | title = Evidence of a Low-Compressibility Carbon Nitride with Defect-Zincblende Structure | url = http://link.aip.org/link/?JAPIAU/81/2555/1 | journal = Journal of Applied Physics | volume = 81 | issue = 6 | pages = 2555–2559 | year = 1997 | doi = 10.1063/1.364301 | access-date = 2018-11-06 | archive-url = https://archive.is/20120713050754/http://link.aip.org/link/?JAPIAU/81/2555/1 | archive-date = 2012-07-13 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="ref5">{{ cite journal |author1=Yin, L. W. |author2=Li, M. S. |author3=Liu, Y. X. |author4=Sui, J. L. |author5=Wang, J. M. | title = Synthesis of Beta Carbon Nitride Nanosized Crystal through Mechanochemical Reaction | journal = Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter | volume = 15 | issue = 2 | pages = 309–314 | year = 2003 | doi = 10.1088/0953-8984/15/2/330 }}</ref><ref name="ref6">{{ cite journal |author1=Yin, L. W. |author2=Bando, Y. |author3=Li, M. S. |author4=Liu, Y. X. |author5=Qi, Y. X. | title = Unique Single-Crystalline Beta Carbon Nitride Nanorods | journal = Advanced Materials | volume = 15 | issue = 21 | pages = 1840–1844 | year = 2003 | doi = 10.1002/adma.200305307 }}</ref>
Nanosized crystals and nanorods of β-carbon nitride can be prepared by mechanochemical processing.<ref>{{ cite journal |author1=Niu, C. |author2=Lu, Y. Z. |author3=Lieber, C. M. | title = Experimental Realization of the Covalent Solid Carbon Nitride | journal = Science | volume = 261 | issue = 5119 | pages = 334–337 | year = 1993 | doi = 10.1126/science.261.5119.334 | pmid=17836844|bibcode=1993Sci...261..334N |s2cid=21070125 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite journal | author1 = Martín-Gil, J. | author2 = Martín-Gil, F. J. | author3 = Sarikaya, M. | author4 = Qian, M. | author5 = José-Yacamán, M. | author6 = Rubio, A. | title = Evidence of a Low-Compressibility Carbon Nitride with Defect-Zincblende Structure | journal = Journal of Applied Physics | volume = 81 | issue = 6 | pages = 2555–2559 | year = 1997 | doi = 10.1063/1.364301 | bibcode = 1997JAP....81.2555M }}</ref><ref name="ref5"/><ref name="ref6">{{ cite journal |author1=Yin, L. W. |author2=Bando, Y. |author3=Li, M. S. |author4=Liu, Y. X. |author5=Qi, Y. X. | title = Unique Single-Crystalline Beta Carbon Nitride Nanorods | journal = Advanced Materials | volume = 15 | issue = 21 | pages = 1840–1844 | year = 2003 | doi = 10.1002/adma.200305307 |bibcode=2003AdM....15.1840Y |s2cid=95431446 }}</ref>


== Production ==
== Production ==


=== Processing ===
=== Processing ===
Through a mechanochemical reaction process, β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> can be synthesized. This method is achieved by [[ball milling]] high purity graphite powders down to an amorphous nanoscale size while under an argon atmosphere, then the argon is purged and the graphite powders are introduced to an NH<sub>3</sub> gas atmosphere, which after high energy ball milling, has been found to form a nanosized flake-like structure of β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>.<ref name="ref5" /> During milling, fracture and welding of the reactants and graphite powder particles occur repeatedly from ball/powder collisions. [[Plastic deformation]] of the graphite powder particles occur due to the shear bands decomposing into sub-grains that are separated by low-angle grain boundaries, further milling decreases the sub-grain size until nanosize sub-grains form. The high pressure and intense motion promotes [[catalytic]] dissociation of NH<sub>3</sub> molecules into [[monatomic]] nitrogen on the fractured surface of the carbon. Nanosized carbon powders act substantially different from its bulk material as a result of particle dimension and surface area, causing the nanosized carbon to easily react with the free nitrogen atoms, forming β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> powder.<ref name="ref6" />
β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> can be synthesized in a mechanochemical reaction. This method involves [[ball milling]] of high-purity graphite powders down to an amorphous nanoscale size under an argon atmosphere. Then argon is replaced by an NH<sub>3</sub> gas atmosphere, which helps to form nanosized flake-like β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>.<ref name="ref5" /> During ball milling, fracture and welding of the reactants and graphite powder particles occur repeatedly from ball/powder collisions. [[Plastic deformation]] of the graphite powder particles occur due to the shear bands decomposing into sub-grains that are separated by low-angle grain boundaries, further milling decreases the sub-grain size until nanosize sub-grains form. The high pressure and intense motion promotes [[catalytic]] dissociation of NH<sub>3</sub> molecules into [[monatomic]] nitrogen on the fractured surface of the carbon. Nanosized carbon powders act substantially different from its bulk material as a result of particle dimension and surface area, causing the nanosized carbon to easily react with the free nitrogen atoms, forming β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> powder.<ref name="ref6" />


=== Producing nanorods ===
=== Producing nanorods ===
Single crystal β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanorods can be formed after the powder-like or flake-like compound is thermally [[annealing (metallurgy)|annealed]] with an NH<sub>3</sub> gas flow. The size of the nanorods is determined by the temperature and time of thermal annealing. These nanorods grow faster in their axis direction than the diameter direction and have hemispherical-like ends. A cross section of the nanorods indicates that their section morphology is prismatic. It was discovered that they contain amorphous phases, however when annealed to 450 degrees Celsius for three hours under an NH<sub>3</sub> atmosphere, the amount of the amorphous phase diminished to almost none. These nanorods are dense and twinned rather than nanotubes. Synthesizing these nanorods through thermal annealing provides an effective, low cost, and high yield method for the synthesis of single crystal nanorods.<ref name="ref6" />
Single crystal β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanorods can be formed after the powder-like or flake-like compound is thermally [[annealing (metallurgy)|annealed]] with an NH<sub>3</sub> gas flow. The size of the nanorods is determined by the temperature and time of thermal annealing. These nanorods grow faster in their axis direction than the diameter direction and have hemispherical-like ends. A cross section of the nanorods indicates that their section morphology is prismatic. It was discovered that they contain amorphous phases, however when annealed to 450 °C for three hours under an NH<sub>3</sub> atmosphere, the amount of the amorphous phase diminished to almost none. These nanorods are dense and twinned rather than nanotubes. Synthesizing these nanorods through thermal annealing provides an effective, low-cost, high-yield method for the synthesis of single crystal nanorods.<ref name="ref6" />


=== Alternate methods of synthesis ===
=== Alternate methods of synthesis ===
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=== Difficulties of processing ===
=== Difficulties of processing ===
Although extensive studies on the process and synthesis of the formed carbon nitride have been reported, the nitrogen concentration of the compound tends to be below the ideal composition for C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>. This is due to the low [[thermodynamic stability]] with respect to the elements C and N<sub>2</sub>, indicated by a positive value of the [[Standard enthalpy of formation|enthalpies of formation]]. The commercial exploitation of nanopowders is very limited by the high synthesis cost along with difficult methods of production that causes a low yield.<ref name="ref5" /><ref name="ref6" />
Although extensive studies on the process and synthesis of the formed carbon nitride have been reported, the nitrogen concentration of the compound tends to be below the ideal composition for C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>. This is due to the low [[thermodynamic stability]] with respect to carbon phases and N<sub>2</sub> gas, indicated by a positive value of the [[Standard enthalpy of formation|enthalpies of formation]]. The commercial exploitation of nanopowders is very limited by the high synthesis cost along with difficult methods of production that causes a low yield.<ref name="ref5" /><ref name="ref6" />


== Characteristics ==
== Characteristics ==


=== Structure ===
=== Morphology===
The structure was determined by [[Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy|Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy]], [[transmission electron microscopy]], and [[X-ray diffraction]]. By using an [[SAED]], a polycrystalline β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> with a lattice constant of a = 6.36 Å, c = 4.648 Å can be determined. [[Thermal annealing]] can be used to change the flake-like structure into sphere- or rod-like structures.<ref name="ref5" />
β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> has the same crystal structure as β-[[Silicon nitride|Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>]] with a [[hexagonal]] network of tetrahedrally (sp<sup>3</sup>) bonded carbon and trigonal planar nitrogen (sp<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="ref6" /> [[Thermal annealing]] can be used to change the crystal morphology from flake-like into sphere- or rod-like structures.<ref name="ref5" /> The nanorods are generally straight and contain no other defects.<ref name="ref6" />

It has the same crystal structure as β-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> with a [[hexagonal]] network of tetrahedrally (sp<sup>3</sup>) bonded carbon and trigonal planar nitrogen (sp<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="ref6" />

The nanorods are generally straight and contain no other defects.<ref name="ref6" />


=== Properties ===
=== Properties ===
Properties show a hardness equal or above diamond, the hardest known material.<ref name="ref2" />
A hardness equal or above that of diamond (the hardest known material) has been predicted,<ref name="ref2" /> but not yet demonstrated.

The [[bulk modulus]] of diamond is 4.43 MBar while β-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> only has a bulk modulus of 4.27 MBar(± .15). This is the closest conceived bulk modulus to diamond.<ref name="ref2" />

== Possible applications ==
Promising in the field of [[tribology]], wear resistant coating, optical engineering, and electronic engineering.<ref name="ref6" />

Composite opportunities also exist using TiN as seeding layers for carbon nitride, which produces actual crystalline composites with hardness at levels of 45-55 (GPa) which is on the lower end of diamond.<ref name="ref2" />

The predicted hardness for pure beta carbon nitride(4.27 ± .15 [[Mbar]]) is similar to that of diamond (4.43 Mbar), giving it the potential to be useful in the same fields as diamond.<ref name="ref2" />


== See also ==
== See also ==

Latest revision as of 05:59, 14 March 2023

Β-Carbon nitride

Lattice structure of (β-C3N4).]]
Names
IUPAC name
β-Carbon nitride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
MeSH Carbon+nitride
  • InChI=1S/N4C3/c1-5-2-6(1)3(5)7(1,2)4(5)6
  • N13[C]25N4[C]16N2[C]34N56
Properties
C3N4
Molar mass 92.061 g·mol−1
Structure[1]
Hexagonal, hP14
P63/m No. 176
a = 6.36 Å, c = 4.648 Å
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

β-Carbon nitride (beta-carbon nitride), β-C3N4, is a superhard material predicted to be harder than diamond.[2]

The material was first proposed in 1985 by Amy Liu and Marvin L. Cohen. Examining the nature of crystalline bonds they theorised that carbon and nitrogen atoms could form a particularly short and strong bond in a stable crystal lattice in a ratio of 1:1.3, and that this material could be harder than diamond.[3]

Nanosized crystals and nanorods of β-carbon nitride can be prepared by mechanochemical processing.[4][5][1][6]

Production

[edit]

Processing

[edit]

β-C3N4 can be synthesized in a mechanochemical reaction. This method involves ball milling of high-purity graphite powders down to an amorphous nanoscale size under an argon atmosphere. Then argon is replaced by an NH3 gas atmosphere, which helps to form nanosized flake-like β-C3N4.[1] During ball milling, fracture and welding of the reactants and graphite powder particles occur repeatedly from ball/powder collisions. Plastic deformation of the graphite powder particles occur due to the shear bands decomposing into sub-grains that are separated by low-angle grain boundaries, further milling decreases the sub-grain size until nanosize sub-grains form. The high pressure and intense motion promotes catalytic dissociation of NH3 molecules into monatomic nitrogen on the fractured surface of the carbon. Nanosized carbon powders act substantially different from its bulk material as a result of particle dimension and surface area, causing the nanosized carbon to easily react with the free nitrogen atoms, forming β-C3N4 powder.[6]

Producing nanorods

[edit]

Single crystal β-C3N4 nanorods can be formed after the powder-like or flake-like compound is thermally annealed with an NH3 gas flow. The size of the nanorods is determined by the temperature and time of thermal annealing. These nanorods grow faster in their axis direction than the diameter direction and have hemispherical-like ends. A cross section of the nanorods indicates that their section morphology is prismatic. It was discovered that they contain amorphous phases, however when annealed to 450 °C for three hours under an NH3 atmosphere, the amount of the amorphous phase diminished to almost none. These nanorods are dense and twinned rather than nanotubes. Synthesizing these nanorods through thermal annealing provides an effective, low-cost, high-yield method for the synthesis of single crystal nanorods.[6]

Alternate methods of synthesis

[edit]

Rather than forming a powder or nanorod, the carbon nitride compound can alternatively be formed in thin amorphous films by either shock-wave compression technology, pyrolysis of high nitrogen content precursors, diode sputtering, solvothermal preparation, pulsed laser ablation, or ion implantation.[6]

Difficulties of processing

[edit]

Although extensive studies on the process and synthesis of the formed carbon nitride have been reported, the nitrogen concentration of the compound tends to be below the ideal composition for C3N4. This is due to the low thermodynamic stability with respect to carbon phases and N2 gas, indicated by a positive value of the enthalpies of formation. The commercial exploitation of nanopowders is very limited by the high synthesis cost along with difficult methods of production that causes a low yield.[1][6]

Characteristics

[edit]

Morphology

[edit]

β-C3N4 has the same crystal structure as β-Si3N4 with a hexagonal network of tetrahedrally (sp3) bonded carbon and trigonal planar nitrogen (sp2).[6] Thermal annealing can be used to change the crystal morphology from flake-like into sphere- or rod-like structures.[1] The nanorods are generally straight and contain no other defects.[6]

Properties

[edit]

A hardness equal or above that of diamond (the hardest known material) has been predicted,[3] but not yet demonstrated.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Yin, L. W.; Li, M. S.; Liu, Y. X.; Sui, J. L.; Wang, J. M. (2003). "Synthesis of Beta Carbon Nitride Nanosized Crystal through Mechanochemical Reaction". Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. 15 (2): 309–314. Bibcode:2003JPCM...15..309Y. doi:10.1088/0953-8984/15/2/330. S2CID 250752987.
  2. ^ Ball, P. (2000). "News: Crunchy filling". Nature. doi:10.1038/news000511-1. S2CID 211729235.
  3. ^ a b Liu, A. Y.; Cohen, M. L. (1989). "Prediction of New Low Compressibility Solids". Science. 245 (4920): 841–842. Bibcode:1989Sci...245..841L. doi:10.1126/science.245.4920.841. PMID 17773359. S2CID 39596885.
  4. ^ Niu, C.; Lu, Y. Z.; Lieber, C. M. (1993). "Experimental Realization of the Covalent Solid Carbon Nitride". Science. 261 (5119): 334–337. Bibcode:1993Sci...261..334N. doi:10.1126/science.261.5119.334. PMID 17836844. S2CID 21070125.
  5. ^ Martín-Gil, J.; Martín-Gil, F. J.; Sarikaya, M.; Qian, M.; José-Yacamán, M.; Rubio, A. (1997). "Evidence of a Low-Compressibility Carbon Nitride with Defect-Zincblende Structure". Journal of Applied Physics. 81 (6): 2555–2559. Bibcode:1997JAP....81.2555M. doi:10.1063/1.364301.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Yin, L. W.; Bando, Y.; Li, M. S.; Liu, Y. X.; Qi, Y. X. (2003). "Unique Single-Crystalline Beta Carbon Nitride Nanorods". Advanced Materials. 15 (21): 1840–1844. Bibcode:2003AdM....15.1840Y. doi:10.1002/adma.200305307. S2CID 95431446.