Neutron diffraction analysis of ultradispersed zirconum nitride powders

Atomic structure of ultradispersed (UD) zirconium nitride powders, differing in the value of specific surface are studied by the method of monochromatic neutrons diffraction. A regular decrease of the lattice spacing is discovered as well as a regular increase of the root mean square shifts of atoms and relative presence of defects in metal sublattice with a decrease of powder particles sizes. Considerable microdistortions of UD ZrN crystal lattice conditioned by its heterogeneous deformation are established by means of harmonic analysis of neutron-diffraction peaks profiles. It is shown that a part of oxygen-impurity forms during powders synthesis a smaller fraction of ZrO2 with metal, while another part penetrates into the nitride lattice replacing mainly nitrogen atoms