Typical features of nitrogen in nitride-type compounds

Abstract

Nitride and oxynitride materials have attractive properties directly related to the role played by nitrogen. In particular, a comparison between oxynitrides and oxides highlights the characteristics of a nitrogen N³⁻/oxygen O²⁻ substitution: an increase in the anionic formal charge, a greater covalent character, a higher cross-linking density in glasses, a reducing character due to the N³⁻/N⁰ redox couple, and modified acid–base properties. Each specific character is illustrated by appropriate examples.