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R.G. Deshmukh, U. Schubert:
"Synthesis of metal nitride@SiO₂ nanocomposites from hybrid silica sol-gel precursors";
Poster: Second International Conference on Multifunctional, Hybrid and Nanomaterials, Strasbourg, France; 2011-03-06 - 2011-03-10; in: "Hybrid Materials 2011 - Programme", Elsevier, (2011), 1 pages.

Metal nitrides found diverse applications in refractory ceramics (AlN, TaN, TiN), wear-resistant coatings (TiN, ZrN, CrN) and semiconductor devices for optoelectronics (GaN, InN). However size controlled synthesis and homogeneous distribution of metal nitride nanoparticles in a host matrix and investigation of their physical and chemical properties for various applications is an interesting new area for research.
Metal nitride@SiO₂ nanocomposites are prepared using hybrid silica sol-gel precursors by selectively anchoring the metal precursor on the reactive organic groups in the silica matrix. Thus an in situ homogeneous dispersion of the metal ions throughout the host structure is obtained and aggregation of the metal ions is prevented. A subsequent thermal treatment of the obtained gels under air allowed the formation of metal oxide within the silica host by degradation of the organic groups. Further heat treatment under ammonia atmosphere gives metal nitride@SiO2 nanocomposites. The metal nitride@SiO₂ are characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The use of functionalized silica precursors appears to be a favourable and simple way to achieve well-controlled and well-dispersed metal nitride nanoparticles exclusively within the silica host matrix.

Project Head Ulrich Schubert:
Organisch modifizierte Metall-Alkoxide