Synthesis of nanosized AlN powder using novel nitridation route

Nanonsized AlN powders were prepared by nitridation of coarse aluminium powder in flowing N2 and NH3 gases, using NH4Cl and KCl as additives. XRD analysis indicated that the pure phase of AlN powder could be obtained by nitridation at 1000°C for 4 h with NH3 gas. The average particle size of the AlN powder estimated from the XRD pattern is about 29 nm. FE-SEM micrograph revealed the spherical morphology of the powder particles whose sizes are in the range of 26-43 nm.