Transition Metal (Fe, Co and Ni) Carbide and Nitride Nanomaterials: Structure, Chemical Synthesis and Applications

Nanostructured transition metal (Fe, Co and Ni) carbides and nitrides have attracted much attention due to their active properties in various areas such as nanomagnetism, biomedicine, electrocatalysis, and environmental applications. Generally, the intrinsically harsh characteristics of carbides and nitrides make their synthetic protocols difficult, especially at the nanoscale, but usually come with improved performance in specific applications. In this Focus Review, we give an overview of iron, cobalt, and nickel carbide and nitride nanostructures with a focus on the interactions between the electronic and magnetic structures and their relation to the crystallographic structure. We also discuss both traditional and de novo synthetic strategies, and their applications in various areas from biomedicine to environmental applications.