Synthesis of Aluminum Nitride Nanocrystals and Platelets

AlN nanocrystalline and platelets are synthesized by the nitr idation of Al and C powders in a nitrogen atmosphere. The grain size of nanocrystalline powders i s about 20-50 nm. Hexagonal platelets AlN are 2-4 μm in diameter and 0.5-1 μm in thickness. The morphologies of the nitridation product are controlled by the composition ratio of Al/C. The nitridati on mechanism of Al powders in the process is analyzed.