Synthesis of ternary titanium–niobium nitride nanoparticles by induction thermal plasma

High-purity ternary titanium–niobium nitride nanoparticles were prepared by an induction thermal plasma. Metallic Ti and Nb powders served as raw materials. Molar fractions of Nb/(Ti+Nb) were set at various levels including 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1. Ammonia was introduced from the bottom into the plasma equipment as a quench gas. Nanoparticles crystallized in a cubic rock salt structure in the crystallographic space group Fm-3m. All nanoparticles exhibited similar morphology. The average particle size across all samples is approximately 10–14 nm. Elements Ti, Nb, and N are almost uniformly distributed in the nanoparticles. Investigations into the formation mechanism were conducted by examining nucleation temperature and thermodynamic analysis. Ternary titanium–niobium nitride nanoparticles form rapidly through nucleation, condensation, and coagulation with a nitridation reaction. Induction thermal plasma proves to be a highly efficient method for synthesizing ternary titanium–niobium nitride nanoparticles.