A joint program to synthesize and characterize novel ternary rare earth-transition metal-nitride materials will be implemented. Nitrides are the least studied normal valence solids, and their synthesis is complicated by their relatively low free energy of formation, the refractory nature of many and the low decomposition temperatures of others. Molecular precursors will be used to synthesize ternary nitrides at low temperatures, thereby circumventing diffusion problems without the use of high temperatures and avoiding decomposition of phases with low free energies of formation. The two PIs bring complementary skills to the problem: DiSalvo is a solid state chemist and Wolczanski is an inorganic chemist. Neither PI could carry out the project alone, but together they have all the experimental apparatus and methodological background to exploit this opportunity under an MS&P grant jointly funded by the Chemistry Division and the Division of Materials Research.
