A novel method for the synthesis of sub-microcrystalline wurtzite-type InxGa1−xN powders

A novel method to synthesize wurtzite-type gallium–indium nitride powders (InxGa1−xN, x=0, 0.5, 1) with small particle size, high purity and high crystallinity has been developed. The method produces finely divided powders via the pyrolysis reaction of a complex salt (ammonium hexafluoroindium-gallate, (NH4)3InxGa1−xF6) in an ultrahigh purity ammonia flow inside of a quartz tubular reactor at relatively low temperature, 630 °C. The conditions of the process avoid the formation of metallic indium, oxides or fluorides. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis performed on these sub-micron particles of InxGa1−xN show an hexagonal wurtzite-type structure, which is very similar to pure InN produced by the same technique.