Chromium nitride
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chromium nitride is a chromium and nitrogen chemical compound with the formula CrN. It is very hard and is extremely resistant to corrosion. It is an interstitial compound, with nitrogen atoms occupying the octahedral holes in the chromium lattice:[2] as such, it is not strictly a chromium(III) compound nor does it contain nitride ions (N3−). Chromium forms a second interstitial nitride, dichromium nitride, Cr2N.
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| Names | |
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| IUPAC name
Chromium nitride | |
| Other names
Chromium(III) nitride | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.041.819 |
| EC Number |
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PubChem CID |
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| Properties | |
| CrN | |
| Molar mass | 66.003 g/mol |
| Appearance | Black powder |
| Density | 5.9 g/cm3[1] |
| Melting point | 1770 ˚C (decomp.)[2] |
| Insoluble[3] | |
| Thermochemistry | |
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) |
37.75 J K−1 mol−1[4] |
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) |
−117.15 kJ/mol [4] |
| Hazards | |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible) |
TWA 1 mg/m3[5] |
REL (Recommended) |
TWA 0.5 mg/m3[5] |
IDLH (Immediate danger) |
250 mg/m3[5] |
| Related compounds | |
Related compounds |
Dichromium nitride |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Occurrence
Though rare, carlsbergite - the natural form of chromium nitride - occurs in some meteorites.[6]
Synthesis
Chromium(III) nitride can be prepared by the direct combination of chromium and nitrogen at 800 °C:
- 2 Cr + N
2 → 2 CrN
It can also be synthesized by the Physical Vapour Deposition technique, such as Cathodic arc deposition.
Applications
CrN is used as a coating material for corrosion resistance and in metal forming and plastic moulding applications.[7] CrN is often used on medical implants and tools. CrN is also a valuable component in advanced multicomponent coating systems, such as CrAlN, for hard, wear-resistant applications on cutting tools.[8]
Magnetism
The fundamental materials physics of CrN, giving rise to its favorable properties, has been debated recently in high-profile scientific journals such as Nature Materials.[9][10] In particular, the importance of magnetism in both the low temperature and the high temperature phases has been demonstrated by using quantum mechanical calculations of the compound's electronic structure.[11][12][13]