Vanadium nitride or VN, is a compound of vanadium and nitrogen. It is a black cubic crystal powder with molecular weight of 64.95.
Vanadium nitride forms and increases wear resistance in the nitriding process of steel. In the nitriding process, another phase V2N, also known as vanadium nitride, can be formed with VN. VN has cubic rock salt structure. There is also a cryogenic form that contains V4 clusters. When the energy of the vibration mode in the high temperature NaCl structure phase decreases below zero, the low temperature phase is caused by dynamic instability.
It is a strong coupling superconductor. Nanocrystalline vanadium nitride is said to have the potential to be used in supercapacitors. The properties of vanadium nitride are sensitively determined by the stoichiometry of the material.
Vanadium Nitride
Vanadium nitride is a new type of alloy additive, which can replace ferrovanadium in the production of microalloyed steel. The addition of vanadium nitride to steel can improve the comprehensive mechanical properties of steel, such as strength, toughness, ductility and thermal fatigue resistance, and make the steel have good weldability. At the same strength, the addition of vanadium nitride saves the amount of vanadium by 30-40%, thus reducing the cost. Vanadium-nitrogen alloy can be used in structural steel, tool steel, pipe steel, steel bar and cast iron. The application of vanadium-nitrogen alloy in high strength low alloy steel can carry out effective vanadium and nitrogen microalloying at the same time, promote the precipitation of carbon, vanadium and nitrogen compounds in steel, and play a more effective role in sedimentation strengthening and grain refinement.
What is Vanadium Nitride VN Used For?
Vanadium nitride is a better steelmaking additive than high vanadium iron. Using vanadium nitride as additive, the nitrogen composition in vanadium nitride can promote the precipitation of vanadium after hot working and make the precipitated particles finer, so as to improve the weldability and formability of steel.
Used as cemented carbide raw materials, the production of wear-resistant and semiconductor films.
It is a new and efficient vanadium alloy additive, which can be used to produce high strength low alloy steel products such as high strength welded steel, non-quenched and tempered steel, high speed tool steel, high strength pipeline steel and so on.
Advanced Applications of Vanadium Nitride
Beyond these core applications, vanadium nitride has gained increasing attention in advanced material fields due to its unique combination of physical and chemical properties. In the field of energy storage, nanocrystalline VN has shown great potential as an electrode material for supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. Its excellent electrical conductivity, high theoretical specific capacity, and wide operating voltage window make it an ideal candidate for high-performance energy storage devices. Researchers have fabricated VN-based nanocomposites, such as VN/porous carbon and VN/graphene, which effectively improve the specific capacitance and cycle stability of supercapacitors—some VN-based supercapacitors have achieved a maximum specific capacitance of 255.0 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1.0 A g⁻¹, along with excellent energy and power density performances. In flexible electronics, VN nanobelt arrays grown on flexible carbon cloth have been used to construct high-energy-density flexible supercapacitors, paving the way for wearable energy storage devices.
VN Powder
Vanadium Nitride in Cutting Tools and Hard Coatings
In the manufacturing of cutting tools and hard coatings, vanadium nitride’s exceptional hardness (microhardness up to 1520 HV) and high-temperature stability (melting point of 2360 °C) make it a valuable material for enhancing tool performance. It is widely applied as a hard coating on cutting tools, drills, and other metalworking tools, significantly improving their wear resistance and service life in high-stress, high-temperature working environments. Additionally, VN serves as a raw material for cemented carbides, contributing to the production of wear-resistant components used in machinery, automotive, and aerospace industries.
Catalytic Applications of Vanadium Nitride
The catalytic field also benefits from vanadium nitride’s unique properties. VN exhibits high catalytic activity, selectivity, and resistance to poisoning, making it suitable for various chemical reactions, including petroleum refining, ammonia synthesis, and hydrogenation/dehydrogenation processes. Its stable chemical properties allow it to perform effectively in corrosive and high-temperature catalytic environments, providing a more durable alternative to traditional catalysts.
Technical Parameter of Vanadium Nitride VN powder:
| Product Name | MF | Purity | Particle Size | Specific Surface Area (m2/g) |
Volume Density (g/cm3) |
Color |
| vanadium nitride | VN | 99% | 5-10um | 30.2 | 1.29 | gray-black |
| VN | N | Si | Fe | Cr |
| 99.5% | 19.5% | 0.04% | 0.14% | 0.004% |
Preparation Methods of Vanadium Nitride
In terms of preparation, several methods are currently used to produce vanadium nitride, with carbothermal reduction nitridation being the main industrial method, which involves heating a mixture of vanadium source and reducing agent at 1300–1500 °C for 4–6 hours. Advanced preparation technologies have been developed to overcome the limitations of traditional methods, such as high reaction temperature and low nitrogen content. For example, the reduction nitridation one-step method uses vanadium shale leachate as the vanadium source, adding carbon black to obtain high-purity VN that meets industrial standards at 1150 °C. Microwave-assisted precipitation followed by reduction nitridation can adjust the precursor structure, increasing nitrogen content to 17.67 wt% and producing uniform spherical VN particles. Magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition are also used to synthesize high-quality single-crystalline VN films, which are crucial for studying the electronic structure and superconducting properties of VN—these films have a superconducting critical temperature of around 8.1 K, with weak temperature dependence in their electronic structure.
Vanadium Nitride powder
Key Properties and Safety Notes
It is worth noting that the properties of vanadium nitride are highly dependent on its stoichiometry, purity, and particle size. High-purity VN (purity > 99%) with uniform particle size (0.5–3.0 μm) is widely used in high-end applications, while its density of 6.13 g/cm³ and insolubility in water ensure its stability in various working conditions. In terms of safety, VN is non-flammable but should be stored in a cool, dry place away from strong oxidizers and moisture to prevent contamination and degradation.
Future Outlook of Vanadium Nitride
Looking ahead, with the continuous advancement of material science and preparation technologies, the application scope of vanadium nitride is expected to expand further. In the energy storage field, optimizing the microstructure of VN-based materials will help improve their electrochemical performance, promoting their commercialization in supercapacitors and batteries. In the metallurgical industry, the development of more efficient VN additives will further reduce production costs and enhance the performance of microalloyed steel. Additionally, the exploration of VN in emerging fields such as semiconductor films, flexible electronics, and advanced catalysis will unlock new potential for this versatile compound, making it a key material in the development of high-performance, low-cost industrial and technological products.
Vanadium Nitride VN Powder Price
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Vanadium Nitride VN Powder Supplier
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