Facile and general route to nitrides by a modified solid-state metathesis pathway

We have developed a modified solid-state metathesis method by selecting metal oxides and Li₃N as precursors to prepare nitrides in sealed ampoules or tube furnace, which provide a general, facile, and high-efficient route to most binary metal nitrides including III-nitrides, transition metal nitrides, rare-earth nitrides, and some ternary metal nitrides. A two-step process is involved in this route and thermodynamical favored byproduct Li ₂O serves as a potent driving force, enhancing the nitrides formation process. Our results show that this route offers an attractive preparative route to nitrides due to the wide availability of metal oxides, high yield, and relatively simple operation.