Influence of nitrides on synthesis of tantalum(V) oxynitride (TaON) by heat-treatment without flowing ammonia

Abstract

Ta(V) oxynitride (TaON) powders for new pigments were prepared by heat-treatment for mixed powders of Ta(V) oxide, nitrides and alkaline fluorides in nitrogen atmosphere without flowing ammonia. This synthetic method is an eco-friendly and cost-effective way suitable for an industrial scale production of the powder containing TaON with the color of yellow as compared to the conventional method such as ammonolysis with flowing large amounts of ammonia. They have a potential to be employed as non-toxic pigments, and to substitute pigments containing harmful elements. In this study, influence of nitrides as the agent for nitridation of tantalum oxide on the formation of TaON in the synthetic method was examined. It has become apparent that the formation of TaON was promoted by using silicon nitride (Si3N4) for nitridation of tantalum oxide.