FeOn

FeOn is not a standard chemical formula for a single compound. In scientific discourse it is sometimes used as a generic label for iron-containing materials that incorporate both oxygen and nitrogen, or for a family of mixed oxide–nitride/oxynitride phases centered on iron. The exact composition and structure implied by FeOn can vary widely, and the notation is more of a shorthand than a fixed stoichiometry. In practice, FeOn may refer to iron oxynitrides such as FeON or related oxynitride systems, as well as non-stoichiometric iron oxides with nitrogen incorporation or nitrogen-rich environments.

Synthesis of FeOn-type materials is typically attempted in laboratory settings by high-temperature nitridation or oxynitriding of iron or iron oxide precursors under nitrogen- or ammonia-containing atmospheres, sometimes employing chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, or solvothermal routes to tailor composition and phase. Properties depend strongly on the exact phase and composition; iron-based oxynitrides and oxides can exhibit ferromagnetism, catalytic activity, and varying corrosion resistance, subject to processing.

Applications and research use FeOn mainly as a working label in studies exploring the synthesis, structure, and properties of iron-containing oxynitrides and mixed oxide-nitride materials, with potential roles in catalysis, magnetic materials, and protective coatings. The term is not standardized, and precise identification requires explicit chemical formula and phase characterization.

See also: FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3N, iron oxynitrides, iron oxide nitrides.