Combustion synthesis of ZrN and A1N using Si3N4 and BN as solid nitrogen sources

ZrN and AlN nitride ceramic powders have been synthesized by combustion synthesis using Si3N4 and BN as solid nitrogen sources. The experimental results show that the metallic particles of Zr and A1 are fully nitridized by the solid nitrogen sources and are converted into ZrN and A1N. Zr reacts with both Si3N4 and BN in a self-sustained way, while A1 reacts only with Si3N4 and does not react with BN. By using Si3N4 and BN as solid nitridizing agents, this work provides an alternative way to synthesize the nitrides of ZrN and A1N, which differs from the conventional nitridation method using N-2 gas as a nitridizing agent.