AlN formation from a hydrotalcite-polyacrylonitrile intercalation compound by carbothermal reduction

As a precursor for AlN production by carbothermal reduction, a hydrotalcite (layered magnesium-aluminum double hydroxide)-polyacrylonitrile (PAN) intercalation compound has been prepared for the first time. After the layers were expanded by the replacement of the interlayer anions with the CH 3(CH 2) 11OSO 3 − ions, the acrylonitrile monomer was intercalated and subsequently polymerized. By the heat treatments at 1100°C–1600°C in N 2, AlN, MgO and MgS formed. MgO was detected in the products heated up to 1300°C. MgS formation was observed in the reactions below 1500°C. On heating at 1600°C, single phase submicron AlN grains were obtained.