Preparation of CeN by reaction of Ce with a N2–H2 mixture

It has been found that although the reaction of Ce with N2 does not proceed at 200–300 °C at an appreciable rate, the use of a gaseous mixture of N2 and H2 makes the formation of cerium mononitride (CeN) possible at these low temperatures. Preliminary experimental results of the reaction, Ce + (N2+H2), together with those for Ce+H2, Ce+N2 and CeH3—x+N2 are reported.