Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 February 2011
The ternary transition metal nitrides of general formulation AMN2 (A = alkaline earth metal, M = transition metal) have been systematically studied. These compounds have been synthesised by high temperature solid state reaction from their component binary nitrides in sealed systems. The structures of these materials have been determined by powder X-ray diffraction (PXD) and two layered structure-types (α-NaFeO2-type and KCoO2-type) have been observed, thus far. Intriguingly, magnetic measurements performed on nitride samples indicate they may not be diamagnetic (d = 0, S = 0) as their nominal stoichiometry suggests.