Nitride formation by the carbothermal reduction of a zeolite-polyacrylonitrile inclusion compound

An inclusion compound between zeolite and polyacrylonitrile has been applied as a precursor for the carbothermal reduction process. By heat treatment at 1400-1600 deg C in nitrogen, beta -sialon was mainly obtained. The X phase, alpha -Si sub 3 N sub 4 , the 15R-AlN phase, AlN, and mullite also formed under certain firing conditions. On the other hand, alpha -Si sub 3 N sub 4 was detected as the principal crystalline phases along with beta -sialon in the products from zeolite--carbon mixtures. Hence, the use of the inclusion compound was advantageous for beta -sialon production in the conversion of zeolite to nitrides. 22 ref.--AA