Research-grade 65 nm rock-salt TiOₓNᵧ titanium oxynitride nanoparticles providing a mixed-valence oxynitride phase for integration into composite electrodes, coatings, and visible-light-driven catalytic systems.
Introduction
Titanium Oxynitride for conductive ceramic electrodes & visible-light-active coatings
Direct Answer
Titanium oxynitride (TiON) nanoparticles are ≈65 nm rock-salt TiOₓNᵧ particles produced by low-temperature synthesis, used as a conductive and visible-light-active oxynitride phase in composite electrodes and coatings where final properties depend on the designed architecture.[web:1]
What it is
A research-grade titanium oxynitride nanopowder with nominal TiOₓNᵧ composition, typical O:N ratio near 5:1, cubic or cube-like morphology, and polycrystalline rock-salt (NaCl-type) structure, intended to function as an oxynitride component rather than a finished device.[web:1]
For R&D teams developing conductive ceramic or photo-active electrodes
What it is NOT
Not pure TiO₂ and not pure TiN; TiON is an intermediate oxynitride phase with both oxygen and nitrogen in the anion lattice. It is not an intrinsic “7× capacitance” material, not a guaranteed photocurrent source, and not a certified biomedical coating; reported electrochemical and photocatalytic metrics in the Technical Data Sheet correspond to specific composite electrodes and photoelectrodes, not to the loose powder alone.
Where it fits
TiON nanoparticles fit as a functional ceramic phase in carbon-based electrodes, oxide or oxynitride films, and polymer–ceramic composites where a TiN-related rock-salt framework combined with oxynitride band structure is required. Typical use involves mixing the powder into inks, slurries, or coating formulations that are then processed into electrodes or functional layers.
Boundary condition
Useful behavior depends on controlled synthesis, processing history, atmosphere and temperature (stability up to about 350–400 °C in air, higher in inert gas), and on adequate dispersion to avoid agglomeration; these constraints delimit the operating window and must be considered in each application design.[web:1]
Titanium Oxynitride (TiON) Nanoparticles
are low-temperature synthesized
TiOxNy
powders with rock-salt structure, mixed Ti3+/Ti4+ valence, and cube-like morphology, intended to serve as a functional oxynitride phase in electrochemical and photocatalytic composite systems rather than as a standalone engineered article. [web:1]
Material Identity
Primary name, CAS, synonyms, class, formula, physical form
Primary name: Titanium Oxynitride (TiON) Nanoparticles (≈65 nm primary size). CAS number: 12654-95-8 (titanium oxynitride class; exact stoichiometry may vary). Synonyms: TiON nanopowder; TiOxNy nanoparticles; titanium oxynitride nanocrystals. Material class: Transition-metal oxynitride ceramic nanoparticle. Generalized formula: TiOxNy, nominal O:N ≈ 5:1 (batch-dependent). [web:1] Physical form: Black, loosely aggregated powder with metallic sheen, intended for dispersion into liquids or pastes before forming electrodes or coatings.
Mechanism
TiON operates as a mixed-anion titanium oxide–nitride phase. Nitrogen incorporation raises the valence-band edge by introducing N 2p states above O 2p, narrowing the bandgap relative to TiO2 and enabling visible-light absorption in the approximately 400–600 nm range. [web:3]
In the rock-salt TiOxNy framework, titanium 3d-derived bands support electronic transport when the material is compacted or percolated through conductive networks. [web:1]
In composite electrodes, TiON nanoparticles are distributed on or between carbon or oxide structures, providing oxynitride interfaces and supplemental conduction paths; in photocatalytic systems, they contribute visible-light-active sites in combination with other oxides, cocatalysts, or supports. [web:2]
Functional Role
Electrical role: TiON behaves as a conductive ceramic phase when densified or integrated into conductive matrices, shortening current paths without acting as a sole current collector. In carbon fiber nonwoven and CNT-based electrodes, TiON functions as an oxynitride co-phase modifying interfacial charge transport. [web:1][web:2]
Optical / photocatalytic role: As an oxynitride with a narrowed bandgap, TiON contributes visible-light absorption and catalytically active sites when integrated into appropriate photocatalytic architectures. [web:3]
Mechanical / structural role: The ceramic nature and cubic morphology allow TiON to act as a granular reinforcement in porous or polymer-bonded systems without serving as a monolithic structural ceramic.
Application Windows
Energy-storage electrodes: TiON nanoparticles are reported as additives in carbon fiber nonwoven electrodes and as active phases anchored on CNTs in supercapacitor architectures, participating in charge storage within composite electrodes rather than acting as isolated electrodes. [web:1][web:2]
Photocatalytic and solar-driven systems: Oxynitrides including TiON are used as visible-light-active components in photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and pollutant degradation, exploiting mixed-anion bandgap engineering. [web:3]
Functional coatings and composites: TiON serves as a conductive, optically absorbing ceramic filler in advanced coatings and polymer–ceramic composites where a black rock-salt oxynitride phase is required. [web:1]
Why Titanium Oxynitride (TiON) Is Used Instead of TiO₂ or TiN
• When TiO₂ is electrically insulating but partial conductivity is required
• When TiN is too metallic or optically opaque for photo-active systems
• When mixed ionic–electronic transport is preferred over pure electron conduction
• When a ceramic phase must remain stable under oxidative conditions
When to Use
Use TiON nanoparticles when a TiN-related rock-salt oxynitride phase is required as a powder-form functional ceramic component in energy-storage electrodes, visible-light-active photocatalytic layers, or functional black coatings, and when dispersion into slurries or inks matches the intended manufacturing route. [web:1][web:3]
When NOT to Use
Do not use TiON as a direct substitute for device-qualified materials or as a guarantee of literature-reported capacitance or photocurrent without reproducing the corresponding architecture. Avoid biomedical deployment without dedicated biocompatibility testing, and avoid processing outside documented thermal and oxidative stability limits. [web:1]
Limitations & Failure Modes
Limitations include oxidation toward oxygen-rich states above roughly 350–400 °C in air, agglomeration without controlled
dispersion
,
and strong dependence of electrochemical or photocatalytic performance on complete device architecture. [web:1][web:3]
Alternatives & Trade-offs
Alternatives include TiO2 (UV-active, insulating), TiN (highly conductive nitride), carbon materials such as graphene or CNTs, and other oxynitrides such as LaTiO2N and TaON. TiON is selected when a powder-form TiN-related oxynitride with tunable conductivity and visible-light absorption is required. [web:3]
Visible FAQ
Which applications are directly demonstrated for TiON nanoparticles?
Demonstrated system-level uses include TiON as an additive in carbon fiber nonwoven electrodes and TiON anchored on CNTs in supercapacitor architectures, where the nanoparticles function as oxynitride phases within composite electrodes. [web:1][web:2]
Can TiON be used in visible-light photocatalytic systems?
Yes. TiON belongs to the oxynitride photocatalyst family with narrowed bandgaps enabling visible-light-driven reactions, and can serve as a functional oxynitride component in photoelectrodes and coatings when properly formulated. [web:3]
Is TiON supplied as a finished device or coating?
No. TiON is supplied as a research-grade nanopowder intended for integration into composite electrodes, photocatalyst layers, or functional coatings. Device-level properties must be established per formulation and architecture. [web:1]
Last updated:
Application area
Direct Application Claims (Literature-Reported)
TiON for energy-storage electrodes: Titanium oxynitride powders have been reported as an oxynitride co-phase in carbon fiber nonwoven or CNT-based composite electrodes for supercapacitor and related energy-storage architectures, with electrochemical performance defined at the electrode and device level. [1][2]
TiON in visible-light-driven photocatalytic systems: Oxynitride materials including TiON are reported as mixed-anion components in coatings or photoelectrodes designed for visible-light-driven photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical reactions such as hydrogen evolution and pollutant degradation. [3]
TiON as a conductive, optically absorbing ceramic additive: TiON powders have been incorporated into polymer-, carbon-, or oxide-based composites to introduce a conductive and optically absorbing ceramic phase consistent with rock-salt TiOxNy behavior. [1]
[2] Yan, L.; Chen, G.; Tan, S.; et al. “Titanium Oxynitride Nanoparticles Anchored on Carbon Nanotubes as Energy Storage Materials.” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2015, 7(43), 24212–24217. PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26470651/
[3] Takata, T.; Pan, C.; Domen, K. “Recent Progress in Oxynitride Photocatalysts for Visible-Light-Driven Water Splitting.” Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 2015, 16(3), 033506. PubMed Central:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5099824/