Synthesis of submicron AlN powder using dynamic/thermochemical method

Abstract Carbothermal reduction and nitridation (CRN) method, used for the synthesis of nitride‐based ceramic powders, is an effective and economic technique that has been widely investigated. In this study, a CRN‐based novel approach, denominated as dynamic/thermochemical method (DTM), has been used to synthesize submicron high‐purity aluminum nitride (AlN) powders with equiaxed‐sized particles. DTM is a modified CRN method in which the reaction takes place in a controlled atmosphere using a rotary tube furnace, allowing the synthesis of fine particle‐size powders in a relatively short time. Following the DTM process, homogeneous submicron AlN powders were synthesized from a mixture of aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH) 3 ) and carbon black at 1450°C for 1.5 h. Furthermore, dynamic synthesis parameters, as well as the use of ammonia (NH 3 ) and propane (C 3 H 8 ) gas mixtures instead of carbon black and nitrogen, were investigated.