Effect of ionizing gamma radiation on vibrational properties of TiN nanoparticles

The effect of ionizing radiation on the lattice dynamics of TiN nanoparticles with a size of d = 20 nm has been studied. During the research, the samples were irradiated with gamma rays at doses of D = 50, 200, 900, and 3500 kGy. Vibrational properties were investigated using the Raman spectroscopy method in the wave number range of ν = 100–600 cm⁻¹. It was determined that under normal conditions, four Raman modes are observed in TiN nanoparticles: ν₁ = 152 cm⁻¹, ν₂ = 246 cm⁻¹, ν₃ = 359 cm⁻¹, and ν₄ = 500 cm⁻¹. Changes in the Raman modes were observed under the influence of ionizing gamma rays. It was found that these changes are associated with lattice densification, which likely results from the removal of surface-bound impurities and enhanced atomic packing due to radiation-induced structural compaction. Additionally, the breaking of some bonds due to the fragmentation of crystallites contributes to these vibrational changes.