Freeze dried precursor-based synthesis of molybdenum bimetallic nitride

The molybdenum bimetallic nitride MnMoN2 has been synthesized by ammonolysis of the stoichiometric amorphous precursor, obtained by freeze drying of aqueous solutions of the appropriate metal salts. The compound has been characterized by elemental analysis, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry analysis under an oxygen atmosphere. MnMoN2 crystallize in the hexagonal unit cell isostructural with b-MnWN2 with a = 2.9226(6) A, c = 10.8563(8) A.. It is stable under oxygen atmosphere up to 250 °C, the oxidation of the bulk reverting to the MnMoO4 oxide being complete at 530 °C.