Abstract: This invention relates to a new family of materials that exhibits improved stability to the chemical environment used in metal ore reduction, and thus provides an opportunity for improving the energy use and efficiency of such processes by their use. More specifically, the inventions relates to an electrode, used in the construction and/or operation of a reduction cell use to produce metal from ore, which is comprised of a compound or compounds described by the chemical formulas M3NX2 or M2NX, where M is a transition metal, N is a group 3a, 4a or 5a element, and X is carbon or nitrogen; or a composite containing in part, at least one of such compounds.

Abstract: Nitride powders of high surface area, uniform small particle size and high purity are prepared by forming in an aqueous medium a homogeneous combination of a soluble or colloidally dispersible compound of a multivalent metal with a water soluble oxygen oxygenated carbonaceous polymer, e.g., by mixing an aluminum or other metal salt with polyacrylic acid or mixing colloidal hydrated alumina, or other such metal oxide, with a water soluble oxygenated carbonaceous polymer such as sucrose or methyl cellulose. The resulting precipitate or gel is dried and calcined in a nitriding atmosphere, forming a nitride powder which is highly suitable for fabrication of ceramic bodies by sintering at lower than conventional temperatures.