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Gas-Phase Combustion Synthesis of Aluminum Nitride PowderDue to its combined properties of high electrical resistivity and high thermal conductivity aluminum nitride (AlN) is a highly desirable material for electronics applications. Methods are being sought for synthesis of unagglomerated, nanometer-sized powders of this material, prepared in such a way that they can be consolidated into solid compacts having minimal oxygen content. A procedure for synthesizing these powders through gas-phase combustion is described. This novel approach involves reacting AlCl3, NH3, and Na vapors. Equilibrium thermodynamic calculations show that 100% yields can be obtained for these reactants with the products being AlN, NaCl, and H2. The NaCl by-product is used to coat the AlN particles in situ. The coating allows for control of AlN agglomeration and protects the powders from hydrolysis during post-flame handling. On the basis of thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, two different approaches were employed to produce the powder, in co-flow diffusion flame configurations. In the first approach, the three reactants were supplied in separate streams. In the second, the AlCl3 and NH3 were premixed with HCl and then reacted with Na vapor. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of as-produced powders show only NaCl for the first case and NaCl and AlN for the second. After annealing at 775 C tinder dynamic vacuum, the salt was removed and XRD spectra of powders from both approaches show only AlN. Aluminum metal was also produced in the co-flow flame by reacting AlCl3 with Na. XRD spectra of as-produced powders show the products to be only NaCl and elemental aluminum.
Document ID
20010058679
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Axelbaum, R. L.
(Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO United States)
Lottes, C. R.
(Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO United States)
Huertas, J. I.
(Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO United States)
Rosen, L. J.
(Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1996
Subject Category
Inorganic, Organic And Physical Chemistry
Meeting Information
Meeting: Twenty-Sixth International Symposium on Combustion
Country: Unknown
Start Date: January 1, 1996
Sponsors: Combustion Inst.
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG3-1910
PROJECT: RTOP 101-12-00
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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