AlN nanocrystals by new chemical routes

Hexagonal aluminum nitride nanocrystals have been prepared by the reaction of hexamethyldisilazane with Al cupferronate or AlCl(3) under solvothermal conditions. The nanocrystals have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopic methods. The nanocrystals have average diameters in the 10-20 nm range and are single-crystalline. A characteristic photoluminescence band is observed around 420 nm. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.