Polymeric nitrogen: A review of experimental synthesis method, structure properties and lattice dynamic characterization from large scientific facilities and extreme spectroscopy perspectives

• Published in: Energetic materials frontiers 2023-09, Vol.4 (3), p.158-168
• Main Authors: Lei, Li, Liu, Jing-yi, Zhang, Heng-yuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: High-energy-density material (HEDM); Laser-heated diamond anvil cell (LHDAC); Polymeric nitrogen; Raman criterion for polymeric nitrogen; Structural property
• ISSN: 2666-6472; 2666-6472
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enmf.2023.09.005

Single-bonded polymeric nitrogen (PN) synthesized under high pressure was highly delivered for its valuable application prospects on high-energy-density materials (HEDM) and profound effects for understanding the interaction behavior of simple diatomic. Since the 1980s, polymeric phases of nitrogen have displayed remarkable complexity under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature that fascinated theoreticians and experimentalists. The high-pressure X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy experiments on PN made it possible to elucidate their evolution, in particular, to measure important structural information through scientific facilities. Here, the synthesized PN hitherto, including cubic gauche nitrogen (cg-N), layered polymeric nitrogen (LP-N), hexagonal layered polymeric nitrogen (HLP-N), post-layered-polymeric nitrogen (PLP-N), and black phosphorous structure nitrogen (BP–N) are reviewed. The synthesized methods, diagnosed technologies, lattice dynamics, and experimental challenges are introduced, with a particular focus on their structural similarity and lattice dynamic characterization, and the Raman criterion for nitrogen polymerization is also given. Finally, we propose the expectation of developing free-electron laser (FEL) and high-pressure neutron technology which is a potential key in the research of fundamental elements under high pressure. Single-bonded polymeric nitrogen synthesized under high pressure was highly interested for its valuable application prospects on high-energy-density materials (HEDM) and profound understanding of interaction behavior for the simple diatomic system. Despite a serious of excellent review focus on the energy of nitrogen-rich compounds, it is necessary to conclude the experimental detail and challenge we met. Here, we scrutinize and review the history and characteristics of polymeric nitrogen synthesized hitherto, including cg-N, LP-N, BP-N, PLP-N, and HLP-N. The synthesized methods, diagnosed technologies, lattice dynamics, and experimental challenges are introduced, with a particular focus on their structural similarity and lattice dynamic characterization, and the Raman criterion for nitrogen polymerization is also given. Finally, we propose the expectation of developing FEL and high-pressure neutron technology which is a potential key in the research of fundamental elements under high pressure. [Display omitted] •The recent development about polymeric nitrogen is reviewed.•The synthesis metho