Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T17:57:33.196Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Aerosol Synthesis of Aluminum Nitride Powders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Albert A. Adjaottor
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Gregory L. Griffin
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Get access

Abstract

We describe a new laboratory-scale aerosol process for producing AIN powder. A two-stage reactor design is used. In the first stage, triethyl aluminum (TEA = AI(CC2H5 )3) and NH3 react to form an aerosol adduct in a laminar flow diffusive mixing zone. The aerosol then enters the furnace stage, where it is converted to AIN. We have examined the influence of the major operating variables (e.g., inlet TEA concentration, reactor residence time, and furnace temperature) on the particle size and distribution, yield, and efficiency. For example, increasing the TEA concentration from 0.12 to 1.30 µmol/cm3 causes an increase in the mean particle diameter (from 0.07 to 0.13 Pim), a slight increase in polydispersity (from 0.31 to 0.43), and a decrease in yield efficiency (from 90% to 73%). In contrast, decreasing the reactor residence time (by increasing the flow rate) has little effect on mean particle diameter, but causes a significant increase in yield efficiency (approaching 100%). The overall behavior of the reactor suggests a model in which the particle size distribution of the final product is determined primarily by the aerosol formation steps in the mixing stage (i.e., nucleation, growth, and coalescence), while the composition and crystallinity of the product are determined by furnace conditions.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Sheppard, L.M., Ceram. Bull., 69, 1801 (1990).Google Scholar
2. Kimura, I., Hotta, N., Nukui, H., Saito, N., Yasukawa, S., J. Mater. Sci., 24, 4076 (1989).Google Scholar
3. Riedel, R., Gaudl, K-U., J. Amer. Ceram. Soc., 74, 13311334 (1991).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Interrante, L.V., Carpenter, L.E. II, Whitmarsh, C., and Lee, W., in Better Ceramics Through Chemistry II, edited by Brinker, C.J., Clark, D.E., and Ulrich, D.R., (Mater. Res. Soc. Proc. 73, Pittsburgh, PA, 1986) p. 359.Google Scholar
5. Interrante, L.V., Lee, W., McConnell, M., Lewis, N., Hall, E., J. Electrochem. Soc., 136, 472 (1989).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Adjaottor, A.A. and Griffin, G. L., in Ceramic Powder Science III, edited by Messing, G.L., Hirano, S., and Hausner, H. (Ceram. Trans., Vol. 12, American Ceramic Society, Westerville, OH 1990) pp. 299304.Google Scholar
7. Bent, B.E., Nuzzo, R.G., Dubois, L.H., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 111, 1634 (1989).CrossRefGoogle Scholar