What is the full name of Ca3N2?
Calcium nitride is a solid brown nitride powder and an inorganic compound with constituent elements calcium and nitrogen and represented. Calcium nitride is with the chemical formula Ca3N2. It has various isomorphs forms, and α-calcium nitride is more commonly encountered. Calcium nitride powder possesses the characteristics of high purity and uniform particle size distribution. Calcium nitride is a red-brown, crystalline solid made up of calcium and nitrogen.
1. Calcium nitride Ca3N2 powder preparation
Ca3N2 is formed along with the oxide, CaO, when calcium burns in the air. Heat the distilled fibrous metallic calcium to 450℃ in a purified nitrogen stream, and then metallic calcium is nitrided to calcium nitride after 3 to 4 hours.
Depending on the temperature of preparation, the obtained calcium nitride is black when 350℃, milky white when 350 to 1150℃, or golden yellow when 1150℃ or higher. It is easy to identify the calcium nitride formed since it can react with moisture or water and produce calcium hydroxide and ammonia.
2. Physical and chemical properties of Ca3N2 powder
Calcium nitride is a brown crystal and an ionic compound with a density of 2.63 g/cm3 and a melting point of 1195℃. Its CAS number is 12013-82-0, and the molar mass is 148.248 g·mol−1. It is a black, golden yellow or milky white hexagonal crystal under different conditions. Its crystal structure is cubic. Besides, α-calcium nitride will turn into β-calcium nitride at 700℃. α-calcium nitride adopts an anti-bixbyite structure, similar to MnO, but the positions of the ions are reversed. Is Ca3N2 ionic or covalent? Ionic bond: Calcium Nitride (Ca3N2).
Calcium nitride decomposes to form calcium hydroxide and release ammonia in the case of water. It is soluble in dilute acid and decomposes in anhydrous alcohol. It can also react with hydrogen to make calcium hydride and calcium amide.
Key properties of Ca₃N₂
3. Uses of Ca3N2 powder
Calcium nitride is a significant chemical reagent and has important uses in the chemical industry. So, what is calcium nitride used for? Because of their chemical inertness and ability to withstand high temperatures, interstitial nitrides are useful in several high-temperature applications, including their use as crucibles and high-temperature reaction vessels. Calcium nitride can be used to obtain reactive nitride ions. Besides, Calcium hydride can be produced by heating calcium nitride with hydrogen at temperatures above 350 °C.
Why can't Ca3N2 be written like N2Ca3? Now, why can't Ca3N2 ever be written like N2Ca3? The positive must be listed first, and then the negative. There are two rules to follow when writing formulas for ionic compounds. One has to do with charges and the other has to do with which atom to write first and which one to write second.
Calcium hydride is a reducing agent, desiccant, chemical analysis reagent. It is used in powder metallurgy. When heated from 600 to 1000℃, it can be reduced with zirconium, niobium, hafnium and other metal oxides to obtain a corresponding metal powder.
What do calcium and nitrogen make?
Calcium nitride is an essential hydrogen storage material. Hydrogen energy is an entirely pollution-free renewable energy source, and it is also an ideal green renewable resource.
Calcium nitride is the primary raw material for high-end phosphor. These kinds of phosphors are more stable, performance is better, and the effect of high temperature and humidity is better.
Last but not least, calcium nitride can also be used as a chemical treating agent, which is the key to determining the performance of water-based muds.
4. Is Ca3N2 powder toxic?
Repeated or excessive exposure to Ca3N2 can cause eye damage and skin burns. In addition, it is a flammable solid, and sparks, heat, open flames and water should be avoided as this may cause dangerous reactions.
The toxicity of calcium nitride primarily stems from its reactive nature. Upon contact with moisture on skin or mucous membranes, it rapidly reacts with water to produce calcium hydroxide, which is corrosive, and ammonia gas, which can be irritating to the respiratory tract. In case of accidental exposure, affected areas should be immediately washed with plenty of water, and medical attention should be sought. For workers handling calcium nitride regularly, regular health monitoring is recommended to detect any potential respiratory or dermal effects at an early stage.
5. How to store Ca3N2 powder?
Calcium nitride Ca3N2 powder should be stored in a dry, cool, and sealed environment, and should not be exposed to air. In addition, it should be protected from heavy pressure and transported as ordinary cargo.
For large-scale storage, it is recommended to use airtight metal drums or specialized containers equipped with moisture-absorbing desiccants. The storage area should be clearly labeled with hazard warnings and equipped with appropriate fire suppression systems, as calcium nitride can generate flammable gases upon contact with water. Regular inspection of storage containers for signs of damage or moisture ingress is essential to prevent accidental reactions. When transporting calcium nitride, it should be kept separate from acids, oxidizers, and water-reactive materials to avoid potential hazards during transit.
6. Calcium nitride in advanced ceramics
In the field of advanced ceramics, calcium nitride serves as a valuable precursor and sintering additive. As a member of the nitride ceramic family, its synthesis and processing techniques are closely related to those of high-performance ceramic materials such as silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) and boron nitride (BN). While calcium nitride itself is not typically used as a final structural material, it functions as an effective sintering aid during the densification of silicon carbide (SiC)-based composites, helping to improve material density and high-temperature creep resistance. Additionally, aluminum nitride (AlN) — widely used as a high-thermal-conductivity substrate in electronics — shares a comparable nitridation mechanism with calcium nitride, further reinforcing the technical relevance of this material within the nitride ceramics cluster.
With the growing application of fine ceramics in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and new energy technologies, high-purity calcium nitride with uniform particle size distribution is increasingly valued as a key component in specialty ceramic powder formulations. As research progresses in ceramic matrix composites and high-temperature structural systems, the role of calcium nitride is likely to expand beyond that of a simple additive toward more specialized applications in functional coatings and advanced reaction-bonded ceramics.
Applications, ceramics and storage
7. What is the price of Ca3N2 powder?
According to the market conditions, the Ca3N2 price might vary from 80 to $260 or even higher. If you are ready to purchase Ca3N2 in bulk for your projects or company, please feel free to contact TRUNNANO for the latest price of Ca3N2.
TRUNNANO (Luoyang Trunnano Tech Co., Ltd ) is a professional Ca3N2 supplier and manufacturer with over 12 years of experience in chemical products research and development. If you are looking for high-quality Ca3N2, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.
