Influence of dissolved nitrogen and carbon on reactions of cerium(III) and cerium(IV) oxides with liquid lithium

Abstract

Cerium(IV) oxide, CeO₂, reacts with pure liquid lithium at 360 °C to give the previously unreported ternary oxide LiCeO₂. The latter is not stable towards nitrogen dissolved in the liquid metal. Reaction of both CeO₂ and cerium(III) oxide. Ce₂O₃, with liquid lithium containing dissolved nitrogen gives lithium oxide and cerium mono-nitride, CeN, as products. At higher nitrogen concentrations the formation of the ternary nitride Li₂CeN₂ has been observed. Reaction of CeO₂ with liquid lithium containing dissolved carbon gives Li₂O and the carbide CeC as products. Cerium(III) oxide does not react with pure liquid lithium.