A survey of current research on a wide range of carbide, nitride and boride materials, covering the general issues relevant to the development and characterisation of a variety of advanced materials. Topics include structure and electronic properties, modeling, processing, high-temperature chemistry, oxidation and corrosion, mechanical behaviour, manufacturing and applications. The volume complements more specialised books on specific materials as well as more general texts on ceramics or hard materials, presenting a survey of materials research as a key to technological development. After decades of research, the materials are being used in electronics, wear resistant, refractory and other applications, but numerous new applications are possible. Roughly equal numbers of papers cover theoretical and experimental research in the general field of materials science of refractory materials. Audience: Researchers and graduate students in materials science and engineering.

Carbides, nitrides and borides are families of related refractory materials. Traditionally they have been employed in applications associated with engineering ceramics where either high temperature strength or stability is of primary importance. In recent years there has been a growing awareness of the interesting electrical, thermal and optical properties exhibited by these materials, and the fact that many can be prepared as monolithic ceramics, single crystals and thin films. In practical terms carbides, nitrides and borides offer the prospect of a new generation of semiconductor materials, for example, which can function at very high temperatures in severe environmental conditions. However, as yet, we have only a limited understanding of the detailed physics and chemistry of the materials and how the preparation techniques influence the properties. Under the auspices of the NATO Science Committee an Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) was held on the Physics and Chemistry of Carbides, Nitrides and Borides (University of Manchester, 18-22 September, 1989) in order to assess progress to date and identify the most promising themes and materials for future research. An international group of 38 scientists considered developments in 5 main areas: The preparation of powders, monolithic ceramics, single crystals and thin films; Phase transformations, microstructure, defect structure and mass transport; Materials stability; Theoretical studies; Electrical, thermal and optical properties of bulk materials and thin films.

This book arose from a symposium titled 'Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides: Preparation, Properties, and Reactivity' organized by Jae Sung Lee, Masatoshi Nagai and myself. The symposium was part of the 1995 Congress of Pacific Rim Chemical Societies, held in Honolulu, Hawaii between December 17-22, 1995. The meeting was the first major conference to exclusively address the theme of metal carbides and nitrides, and brought together many of the major researchers in the field. Over 50 scientists and engineers reported their latest findings in five sessions of presentations and discussions. The book closely follows the topics covered in the conference: Theory of bonding Structure and composition Catalytic properties Physical properties New methods of preparation Spectroscopy and microscopy The book is unique in its coverage. It provides a general introduction to the properties and nature of the materials, but also covers their latest applications in a wide variety of fields. It should thus be of interest to both experts and nonexperts in the fields of material science, solid-state chemistry, physics, ceramics engineering, and catalysis. The first chapter gives an overview, and many of the chapters provide summaries of advanced topics. All contributions were peer-reviewed.

Refractory Materials, Volume 7: Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides discusses the developments in transition metal carbide and nitride research. This volume is organized into nine chapters that emphasize the mechanical and superconducting properties of these compounds. The introductory chapters deal with the general properties, preparation techniques, characterization, crystal chemistry, phase relationships, and thermodynamics of transition metal carbides and nitrides. The following chapter highlights the mechanical properties of these compounds, such as elastic and plastic deformation, fracture, strengthening mechanisms, and hardness. The discussion then shifts to specific electrical and magnetic properties, including electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient, and magnetic susceptibility. A separate chapter is devoted to carbides and nitrides as superconductors. The concluding chapters explore certain theories that explain the mechanisms of band structure and bonding in carbides and nitrides. This volume is of great value to research workers in metallurgy, ceramics, physics, chemistry, and related fields, as well as to advanced students investigating problems concerning high temperature materials or interstitial compounds.

Carbide, Nitride and Boride Materials Synthesis and Processing is a major reference text addressing methods for the synthesis of non-oxides. Each chapter has been written by an expert practising in the subject area, affiliated with industry, academia or government research, thus providing a broad perspective of information for the reader. The subject matter ranges from materials properties and applications to methods of synthesis including pre- and post-synthesis processing. Although most of the text is concerned with the synthesis of powders, chapters are included for other materials such as whiskers, platelets, fibres and coatings. Carbide, Nitride and Boride Materials Synthesis and Processing is a comprehensive overview of the subject and is suitable for practitioners in the industry as well as those looking for an introduction to the field. It will be of interest to chemical, mechanical and ceramic engineers, materials scientists and chemists in both university and industrial environments working on or with refractory carbides, nitrides and borides.

A comprehensive reference on nanoscale materials chemistry—now revised and updated. This extensive text provides twenty-two revised chapters on the preparations, applications, and characterization as well as the environmental and toxicological aspects of nanoscale materials, with an emphasis on the chemistry component. This Second Edition contains core topics including: New synthetic methods for nanomaterials Nanostructured solids Organized two- and three-dimensional nanocrystals Nanotubes, ribbons, and sheets Nanocatalysts, sorbents, and energy applications Unique physical properties of nanomaterials Photochemistry of nanomaterials Biological and environmental aspects of nanomaterials With input from top experts in the field, such as Bruce Dunn, Vicki Grassian, Warren Ford, and Chris Sorensen, among others, Nanoscale Materials in Chemistry presents a balanced survey of different topics in basic nanoparticle science, and includes helpful end-of-chapter questions and answers. Significantly expanded, the Second Edition remains a key text for understanding the fundamentals of nanoscale materials chemistry and a reliable resource for scientists and researchers.