Synthesis and characterization of the cubic form of tantalum nitride

The aim of this study is to optimize a method to turn the typical lattice of TaN at normal conditions (hexagonal) into its cubic counterpart using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The effect of some parameters such as synthesis temperature and pressure on the cubic conversion is studied, as well as the role that plays the addition of some dopants (TaC, TiN) in low quantities. On the other hand, some physical parameters such as density and compactness were assessed for each of the samples, in an attempt to relate them to the presence of cubic and hexagonal lattice. To carry out the study, different characterization techniques such as X-Ray diffraction were used to determine the hexagonal and cubic present lattices, as well as density measurements. Some SEM images were also obtained providing information about the formation of the lattices, their physical properties and the grain sizes of the different samples.