Synthesis of nanosize powders of aluminum nitride by pulsed wire discharge

Using a thin wire of aluminum, we have successfully synthesized the aluminum nitride powders in N2/NH3 mixed gas. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and specific surface area measurement. The results of X-ray diffraction indicated that the synthesized powders consists of würtzite aluminum nitride. In the powders synthesized in N2 gas weak peak intensity of aluminum nitride was observed. However, it is significantly increased using the mixed gas of N2/NH3. The average particle sizes were 30 ∼ 70 nm.