Large-scale synthesis of AlN nanofibers by direct nitridation of aluminum

AlN nanopowders and nanofibers were synthesized by direct nitridation of Al and rice bran mixture compacts in a tube furnace up to 1300 °C in a nitrogen flow without addition of extra catalyst. The effect of the compaction pressure applied onto the green bodies on the morphology of the final AlN products was investigated. A green body compacting pressure in between 320 MPa and 480 MPa was found to be favorable for the synthesis of AlN fibers with aspect ratio up to 400, diameter in the range of 50–500 nm, and length up to tens of micrometers; for a lower pressure of 160 MPa and a higher pressure of 640 MPa, nano-sized AlN powders were the primary morphology in the final product. The AlN products were characterized by several techniques and the VLS growth mechanism was proposed as the main reason for the AlN fibers formation.