Preparation of aluminium nitride powder from a (hydroxo)(succinato)aluminium(III) complex

Abstract

Aluminium nitride (AIN) powder was prepared by using a (hydroxo)(succinato)aluminium(III) complex as a new precursor. The AIN powder was obtained by calcining the complex without mixing any carbon source under a flow of nitrogen in the temperature range 1200–1500 °C and then burning out the residual carbon. The complex began to decompose at ca. 400 °C and turned into γ-alumina at temperatures >600 °C. Carbothermal reduction and nitridation of the γ-alumina, resulting in the formation of AIN, commenced at ca. 1200 °C without γ–α alumina transition. A short time at the higher calcination temperature was more likely to favour complete nitridation than a long time at the lower calcination temperature. The AIN powders prepared were ultrafine, and their particle size depended on the calcination temperature and duration of calcination.