Abstract
In this study, AlN powder of fine particle size and of high purity was synthesized by the carbothermal reduction-nitridation of monodisperse, spherical Al(OH)3 which had been prepared by sol-gel method using Al(O-sec-C4H9)3 as the starting material. Depending on the mixing order and kinds of reducing agents, the optimum condition for the preparation of AlN was determined as follows. AlN single-phase was produced by the carbothermal reduction-nitridation of (1) Benzene-washed Al(OH)3 and the reducing agent, carbon, which was mixed in a ball mill: for 5 hours at 140$0^{\circ}C$ under NH3 atmosphere; (2) The mixture prepared by hydrolysis of alkoxide solution into which carbon had been dispersed beforehand: for 5 hours at 135$0^{\circ}C$ ; (3) Al(OH)3 Poly(furfuryl alcohol) composite powder: for 2.5 hours at 135$0^{\circ}C$; (4) The mixture of Al(OH)3 and polyacrylonitrile: for 5 hours at 140$0^{\circ}C$. Addition of CaF2 increased the nitridation rate when carbon or polyacrylonitrile was used as the reducing agent; but it had no effect on the nitridation rate when furfuryl alcohol was used as the reducing agent.