CHARACTERIZATION OF EARLY TRANSITION-METAL CARBIDES AND NITRIDES BY NEXAFS

Powder materials of a series of early transition metal (groups 4-6B) c arbides and nitrides, including TiC, VC, NbC, Mo2C, WC, TiN, VN and Mo 2N, have been characterized by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structu re (NEXAFS). A comparison of the carbon and nitrogen Kedge features re veals systematic trends in the electronic properties of these material s. These results are compared to an earlier NEXAFS characterization of thin VC films produced on a single crystal V(110) surface. In additio n, the NEXAFS data are also compared to existing band-structure calcul ations for carbides and nitrides of early transition metals.