In this manuscript, we report on the synthesis of a polynitrogen material from a potassium azide precursor using nanosecond-pulsed spark discharge plasma in liquid nitrogen. The polynitrogen material was characterized using Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and identified as K2N6, with planar N6 rings and K- ions that have P6/mmm symmetry. An analysis of the mechanism behind such a transformation shows the importance of direct plasma-chemical effects in polymerization, while the crystal structure changes are believed to be due to plasma-emitted radiation in the ultraviolet range.
Keywords: in-liquid discharge; nanosecond-pulsed discharge; polymeric nitrogen.