Synthesis and characterization of single-crystalline phase Li-α-Sialon

Single-crystallize phase Li-α-Sialon with equiaxial morphology has been successfully synthesized by solid state reaction at 1700 °C for 1 h under a N2 atmosphere. The effects of additions SiO2 and Al2O3, holding time at 1050 °C and packing powders, on the phase compositions and Li contents of products have been investigated by XRD, SEM, EDS and ICP-OES. The results showed that additions SiO2 and Al2O3, holding time at 1050 °C and packing powders played an important role in retarding the vaporization of lithium and forming Li-α-Sialon, where the former two ways were by formation of more Li-containing liquid while the latter was by providing a source of Li-containing vapor and increasing partial pressure of Li in the surrounding gaseous environment resulting in preventing volatilization of Li from the sample. However, there were more or less AlN, AlSi0.5O2.5, β-Sialon present in the products when these factors were ignored.