A new technique for synthesis of the Cu₃N and its structural indexing

We report the synthesis of the polycrystalline Cu 3 N phase via a diffusion reaction between copper and nitrogen under extreme conditions. Herein, the solid-state diffusion mechanism for the synthesis of the Cu 3 N phase was analyzed. Structural indexing of the new phase was confirmed using the X-ray diffraction technique. Synthesis of the above Cu 3 N phase applying this novel technique is an inexpensive method for the industrial production of the material. The microstructure of the above solid was investigated under a high-resolution scanning electron microscope. (author)