PREPARATION OF THORIUM NITRIDES AND THEIR OXIDATION BEHAVIOUR.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-5088(86)90577-1

This paper summarizes the results obtained during a course of study of the preparation of thorium nitrides, Th//3N//4 and ThN. Well-crystallized Th//3N//4 free from oxide has been prepared by the reaction of powdered Th//4H//1//5 with flowing N//2 at 800 degree C. Thermal decomposition of Th//3N//4 under various conditions has been studied to prepare ThN containing no ThO//2. As part of the study of the oxidation of thorium nitrides, the air-oxidation of Th//3N//4 has been performed around room temperature for different periods extending to one week. From broad diffuse peaks in the X-ray diffraction patterns for the completely oxidized products, it follows that either amorphous ThO//2 or ThO// 2 of small crystallite size forms. A preliminary experiment indicated that ThN was easily soluble in HNO//3 at room temperature.