Synthesis of nanosized AlN powder using novel nitridation route

Nanonsized AlN powders were prepared by nitridation of coarse aluminium powder in flowing N 2 and NH 3 gases, using NH 4 Cl 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 NH 3 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.