Novel rapid synthesis of nanoscale tungsten nitride using non-toxic nitrogen source

Abstract Herein, we report a novel method for producing nanoscale tungsten nitride (WN) nanoparticles, the main feature of which is the use of dicyandiamide (C2H4N4) as a non-toxic nitrogen source without an inert atmosphere. The WN nanoparticles were successfully synthesised by a temperature-programmed reaction of Na2WO4 and C2H4N4 powders at an intermediate temperature of 500–800 °C in air. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results revealed that WN nanoparticles with good crystallinity and an average size of 5.58 nm were obtained at a sintering temperature of 600 °C. This method can be extended to synthesise other transition metal nitride materials in air atmosphere.