Synthesis of one-dimensional nanostructure of chromium nitride

One-dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials, chromium nitride (CrN) nanorods have been prepared initially via a direct thermal solid-state reaction of anhydrous chromium(III) tetrachloride (CrCl3) and sodium azide (NaN3) at a temperature of 600 °C for 12 h. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the product is indexed as cubic CrN. Transmission electron microscope images indicate that the sample consists of CrN nanorods with the diameters of 40–60 nm and lengths in the range of 500 nm to 1 μm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show the mole ratio of Cr:N as 1.15:1. The possible reaction mechanism is also discussed.