Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering
Vol.06 No.01(2018), Article ID:82066,12 pages
10.4236/msce.2018.61008

Synthesis of MgSiN2 Powders from the Mg-Si System

Ran Guo1, Xuemei Yi1*, Xiongzhang Liu1, Qingda Li1, Takahiro Nomura2

1College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi, China

2Center for Advanced Research of Energy and Materials, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

Copyright © 2018 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0).

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Received: December 25, 2017; Accepted: January 26, 2018; Published: January 29, 2018

ABSTRACT

Magnesium silicon nitride (MgSiN2) was synthesized without any additives under a nitrogen gas flow (200 mL/min) using a nitriding method. The effects of temperature and holding time on its purity and morphology were investigated. A single-phase MgSiN2 powder was obtained at 1350˚C for 1 h and 1250˚C for 11 h. However, the decomposition of MgSiN2 occurred at 1450˚C, suggesting that the optimum temperature for the preparation of MgSiN2 from Mg-Si system was 1350˚C. The phase purity, morphology, size of the product and elemental composition of the samples were detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy spectrometer (EDS), respectively. The evaporation of Mg and Si resulted in the formation of many voids in the blocky product. The temperature gradient promotes the growth of MgSiN2 on the surface of massive products along the tip. The concentration gradient of Mg and Si vapors in the void resulted in the columnar growth of MgSiN2.

Keywords:

Nitride Materials, Crystal Growth, X-Ray Diffraction, Mg-Si System

1. Introduction

In recent years, ternary nitrides have been widely investigated due to their higher functionality than binary nitrides. β-SiAlON, Si3N4, and AlN all exhibit excellent thermal performances [1] - [7] . The crystal structure of MgSiN2 belongs to the orthorhombic system similar to AlN; however, the mechanical properties of MgSiN2 are superior to those of AlN. Thus, MgSiN2 has attracted extensive attention owing to its high fracture toughness (3 MPa∙m1/2), high stress intensity (280 MPa), high hardness (20 GPa), high-temperature electrical insulation, high-temperature oxidation resistance (up to 920˚C), excellent thermal conductivity, etc. [8] - [13] . In view of its theoretical thermal conductivity value of up to 75 W/m・K, MgSiN2 should replace the AlN material as a new generation of ceramic materials with high thermal conductivity [14] . It can also be used as substrate material, packaging material, fluorescent material, for sintering aid of non-oxide ceramics with high thermal conductivity, and as growth additive in the combustion synthesis of β-Si3N4 rod crystals. Therefore, it is considered a very promising engineering and functional ceramic material [15] - [25] .

In the past few decades, the preparation of MgSiN2 using different methods and raw materials has been widely studied. Uchlda et al. [26] obtained single-phase MgSiN2 by nitridation of Mg2Si at 1400˚C for 1 h. Bruls et al. [27] used Mg3N2/Si3N4 as starting mixture to obtain MgSiN2 with oxygen content of only 0.1 ± 0.1 wt%. Mg and Si have also been used as raw materials to synthesize MgSiN2 at 1250˚C for 16 h; however, no single-phase products were obtained. Lences et al. [28] synthesized MgSiN2 by direct nitridation of complex mixtures consisting of Mg/Si/Si3N4/Mg2Si, and reported the thermal analysis, phase composition, and characterization of the resulting MgSiN2 powders. Khajelakzay et al. [9] prepared MgSiN2 nanopowders by mechanical alloying and heat treatment in two steps, using Mg/Si as starting mixtures and adding a small amount of stearic acid. Yang et al. [29] synthesized single-phase MgSiN2 powders starting from Mg/Si3N4 by combustion synthesis, followed by acid washing. The pre- paration of MgSiN2 by carbothermal reduction was also reported [30] . The synthesis of MgSiN2 by a solvothermal method used SiCl4, N2H4・HCl, and Mg as starting materials [10] . The use of SiO2 and Mg3N2 as reactants was described to synthesize MgSiN2 by a solid-state metathesis route [31] . However, no single- phase MgSiN2 has yet been prepared by direct nitridation at low temperatures (1250˚C), and studies on the effect of holding time on the purity and morphology of MgSiN2 are lacking.

In this study, single-phase MgSiN2 powders were successfully prepared by nitridation of the Mg-Si system, and the effects of temperature and holding time on the purity and morphology of the products were also investigated. The purpose of this study was to obtain the desired products at low temperature, as well as to shorten the required time of nitridation. We believe that this discovery can pave the way for preparing MgSiN2 with low energy consumption.

2. Materials and Methods

Mg (>99 wt% purity, Aldrich Reagent Co. Ltd.) and Si (99.99 wt% purity, 300 mesh, Adamas Reagent Co. Ltd.) were used as starting materials to synthesize MgSiN2. The raw Mg and Si materials were mixed and grinded in an agate mortar with a mole ratio of 2:1. Due to the evaporation of Mg, the Mg/Si value deviated from the stoichiometric ratio, a large amount of Mg was consumed. Subsequently, the mixed powders were placed in an alumina crucible, which was covered with a carbon cloth; the mixtures were also covered with a carbon cloth to prevent Mg from evaporating. Then, the crucible containing the mixed powders was sealed and placed in the middle part of a high temperature resistance furnace. After vacuum was pumped, the furnace was filled with nitrogen at a flow rate of 200 mL×min−1, and heated at temperatures between 500˚C and 1450˚C for different holding time. The heating rate was 5˚C∙min−1 for all samples.

After thermal treatment, the products were ground using a mortar and pestle before testing. The phase composition of the samples was examined by using an X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyzer (D8 ADVANCE A25, Bruker Corporation, Germany) with Cu Kα radiation, operating at 40 kV and 40 mA. The particle sizes and morphologies of the synthesized powders were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Nova Nano SEM 450, FEI Corporation, America).

3. Results and Discussion

The XRD patterns of the products synthesized within the temperature range of 500˚C - 1450˚C starting from Mg and Si are shown in Figure 1. At 500˚C, Mg and Si did not react efficiently and only a little amount of Mg2Si was formed. As the temperature increased, Mg and Si reacted to generate a large amount of Mg2Si at 750˚C, although some unreacted Si remained. At 900˚C MgSiN2 formed; it is possible that Mg2Si reacted with N2 to afford MgSiN2 and Mg3N2. The formation of Mg2Si from Mg and Si probably occurred as follows:

2Mg + Si Mg 2 Si (1)

Figure 1. XRD patterns of the products synthesized at different temperatures.

The reaction between Mg2Si and N2 may take place as follows:

3Mg 2 Si + 4N 2 3MgSiN 2 + Mg 3 N 2 (2)

A large amount of Si was present at 1100˚C; given that the melting point of Mg2Si is 1102˚C, it can be speculated that the decomposition of Mg2Si occurred at this temperature. As the temperature continued to rise, a single-phase MgSiN2 appeared at 1350˚C. The high temperature allowed the starting materials to react completely to generate the nitride, causing the evaporation of the MgO present in the reaction mixture as well as the decomposition of the Mg3N2 product into N2 and Mg (g) as follows:

Mg 3 N 2 3Mg ( g ) + N 2 ( g ) (3)

The formation of MgO may be due to the presence of oxygen impurities in the raw material, oxygen pickup during mixing, and oxygen in the N2 atmosphere; thus, the oxygen reacts with Mg or Mg3N2 to form MgO. At 1450˚C, MgSiN2 decomposed to give rise to Si3N4. When the experiments were conducted at 1450˚C for 3 h, the content of Si3N4 increased. Figure 2 shows the SEM images and EDS analysis results of the products synthesized at 1450˚C after holding for (a) and (b) 1 h, (c) and (d) 3 h. The EDS results show that the hexagonal prism-like crystals of Figure 2(a) and Figure 2(c) are Si3N4. Pt exists because the samples were plated with platinum before testing samples for EDS, the Mg exists because a small amount of MgSiN2 is attached to the surface of the Si3N4 in the test area. Upon increasing of the holding time, the crystal size of MgSiN2 became larger. Previous studies described that the thermal stability of MgSiN2 is up to 1400˚C [32] . Compared with combustion synthesis method, due to the combustion temperature greatly exceeds the melting point of Mg and maintained for

Figure 2. SEM images and EDS analysis results of the products synthesized at 1450˚C after holding for (a) and (b) 1 h; (c) and (d) 3 h.

a long time, resulting in a large number of evaporation of magnesium, so the product in addition to MgSiN2 also appeared in Si, MgO and not identified phases [11] . Oxygen impurities will reduce the thermal conductivity of the product, but the MgO can be washed off by acid washing [29] . As of now, there has been no literature to report that Mg and Si can be synthesized by combustion synthesis to obtain a single phase of the MgSiN2 powder.

Figure 3 shows the XRD patterns of the products synthesized at 1350˚C for different holding time. It was found that the powder of the middle part of the sample was measured and the result was single phase MgSiN2. Although after 8 h some black powders appeared around the product that were completely separated from it. Figure 4 shows the XRD pattern of these black powders, which suggested the presence of some Si3N4 and Si impurities in addition to MgSiN2. This indicates that not only the decomposition of MgSiN2 into Mg and Si3N4 occurred owing to the long reaction time, but also Si3N4 decomposed according to the following reaction [32] :

3MgSiN 2 ( s ) 3Mg ( g ) + 3xSi ( l ) + ( 1 x ) Si 3 N 4 ( s ) + ( 1 + 2x ) N 2 ( g ) (4)

Furthermore, a small amount of white fibrous powder was observed around the crucible upon holding for a long time; although the amount was too small to be tested, it most likely consisted of MgO. The oxygen in the gas atmosphere reacted with Mg or Mg3N2 to form MgO.

We also attempted to obtain MgSiN2 at low temperature (1250˚C). Therefore, different amounts of urea were added to the raw materials to promote nitridation and reduce the impurities, but this did not lead to major improvements.

Figure 3. XRD patterns of the products synthesized at 1350˚C after holding for different holding time.

Figure 4. XRD pattern of the black powders surrounding the synthesized white products at 1350˚C after holding for 8 h.

Although the urea could reduce the Si content and produce smaller particles, a small amount of Si and MgO were found to be still present. Thus, we decided to increase the holding time in order to obtain single-phase MgSiN2 and influence the morphology of the products. Figure 5 shows the XRD patterns of the products synthesized at 1250˚C for different holding time. As the holding time increased, the Si impurity gradually decreased, and single-phase MgSiN2 was obtained when the holding time was up to 11 h. By increasing the holding time, Si could be removed at low temperatures. Figure 6 shows the SEM images and EDS patterns of the product synthesized at 1250˚C after holding for 5 h. The crystals mainly grew into two types, i.e., lump and columnar. The EDS results of the sample are shown in the lower left corner of Figure 6, confirms that both types of products are MgSiN2. With the increase of the holding time, the grain size of the lumpy shaped crystals became larger. Figure 7 shows the SEM images of the products synthesized at 1250˚C for (a) 8 h, (b) 1 h and at 1350˚C for (c) 1 h, while the diagrams on the right are partial enlargements of the left graphs. Figure 7(b) shows that the grains did not grow due to the low temperature and short time. As shown in Figure 7(a), the grains gradually gathered and grew along the original column with the increase of the holding time. Form Figure 7(c), it is clear that when the temperature was high enough for the reaction to go to completion, the grains gradually sintered into blocks. In summary, with the increase of temperature and holding time, the particles gradually became larger; however, the temperature had a greater effect on the particle size than the holding time.

Figure 5. XRD patterns of the products synthesized at 1250˚C for different holding times.

Figure 6. SEM images and EDS patterns of the product synthesized at 1250˚C after holding for 5 h.

Figure 7. SEM images of the products synthesized at 1250˚C after holding for (a) 8 h; (b) 1 h and at 1350˚C for (c) 1 h.

From a large number of SEM photographs, it was evident that upon increasing of the holding time, the products with a columnar morphology gradually decreased at 1350˚C. At 1250˚C the products with a columnar morphology mostly appeared in a hollow, which may be caused by the evaporation of Mg. The formation of these voids also provides new space for the production of MgSiN2. Within a void, Mg and Si vapors may have a certain concentration gradient leading to the growth of many columns. Another form of growth is also shown in Figure 8. Figure 8(a) shows that the products with columnar morphologies grew on a solid surface. The columnar formation may be due to a larger temperature gradient on the solid surface. The farther away from the solid, the lower the temperature, the smaller the activity of the gas, and the easier it is to absord the reaction gas; thus, MgSiN2 easily grows along the tip. As shown in Figure 8(b), it is possible that Mg and Si continued to grow along the inner surface of the cavity because of the relatively strong adsorption of nitrogen on the surface of Mg and Si. The schematic illustration of the mechanism of particle formation on solid surfaces and voids is shown in Figure 9. As the temperature increased, the reactants gradually reacted to form massive amounts of MgSiN2. However, the temperature was much higher than the boiling point of Mg, so a large amount of Mg and a small amount of Si evaporated. The evaporation of

Figure 8. SEM images of the products synthesized at 1250˚C after holding for 8 h.

Figure 9. Schematic illustration of the mechanism of particle formation within solid surfaces and voids.

Mg and Si resulted in the formation of many voids in the blocky product. The higher is the temperature, the greater is the gas activity, and the smaller is the gas adsorption on the surface of MgSiN2 [33] . This may be because the surface of block products possesses a certain temperature gradient. Thus, the farther away from the surface of the block product, the lower is the temperature, the more easily adsorbed is the gas; this promotes the growth of MgSiN2 on the surface of massive products along the tip. Within the voids of the bulk products, it is possible that the evaporation of Mg and Si results in a concentration gradient of Mg and Si vapors in the void, resulting in the columnar growth of MgSiN2. However, it is possible that some of the surfaces of Mg and Si still have adsorption properties, which can absord N2, Mg and Si atoms, so that some MgSiN2 grows along the surface of the block products.

4. Conclusion

A single-phase of MgSiN2 was obtained either at 1350˚C for 1 h or at 1250˚C for 11 h using Mg/Si as starting materials with a mole ratio of 2:1 under a N2 atmosphere. Although this product could be obtained at low temperature (1250˚C), the holding time required was too long and the process involved great energy consumption. Thus, the most economical temperature was 1350˚C. With the increase of the holding time, the grain size of lumpy shaped crystals became larger, and the size of grains with a columnar morphology also increased becoming more uniform. As the temperature increased, the products with a columnar morphology gradually decreased. Moreover, when the temperature reached 1450˚C, the decomposition of MgSiN2 occurred, and Si3N4 particles could be clearly seen in the SEM images. This simple and energy-efficient method for the preparation of MgSiN2 further promotes its use as a fundamental material for electronic equipment to achieve an enhanced thermal conductivity.

Acknowledgements

We thank the Life Science Research Core Services of Northwest A & F University for providing scanning electron microscope. This work was supported by the special funds for basic research projects of Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NO. Z109021534) and International Science and Technology Cooperative Seed Fund Project of Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NO. A213021607).

Cite this paper

Guo, R., Yi, X.M., Liu, X.Z., Li, Q.D. and Nomura, T. (2018) Synthesis of MgSiN2 Powders from the Mg- Si System. Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, 6, 68-79. https://doi.org/10.4236/msce.2018.61008

References

  1. 1. Yi, X.M., Suzuki, S., Liu, X.Z., Guo, R. and Akiyama, T. (2017) Combustion Synthesis of β-SiAlON Using 3D Ball Milling. Materials Science Forum, 898, 1717-1723. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.898.1717

  2. 2. Yi, X.M., Guo, R., Liu, X.Z., Zhang, W.G. and Yan, F.X. (2016) Spark Plasma Sintering of Combustion-Synthesized Beta-SiAlON Powders. Ceramics International, 42, 6707-6712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.01.038

  3. 3. Hiranaka, A., Yi, X.M., Saito, G., Niu, J. and Akiyama, T. (2017) Effects of Al Particle Size and Nitrogen Pressure on AlN Combustion Synthesis. Ceramics International, 43, 9872-9876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.04.170

  4. 4. Guo, W.M., Wu, L.X., Ma, T., You, Y. and Lin, H.T. (2016) Rapid Fabrication of Si3N4 Ceramics by Reaction-Bonding and Pressureless Sintering. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 36, 3919-3924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.06.007

  5. 5. Niu, J., Harada, K., Suzuki, S., Nakatsugawa, I., Okinaka, N. and Akiyama, T. (2014) Fabrication of Mixed α/β-SiAlON Powders via Salt-Assisted Combustion Synthesis. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 604, 260-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2014.03.145

  6. 6. Yi, X.M., Niu, J., Nakamura, T. and Akiyama, T. (2013) Reaction Mechanism for Combustion Synthesis of Beta-SiAlON by Using Si, Al, and SiO2 as Raw Materials. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 561, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.01.170

  7. 7. Yi, X.M. and Akiyama, T. (2010) Mechanical-Activated, Combustion Synthesis of β-SiAlON. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 495, 144-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.01.105

  8. 8. Lences, Z., Hirao, K., Kanzaki, S., Hoffmann, M.J. and Sajgalik, P. (2004) Reaction Sintering of Fluorine-Doped MgSiN2. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 24, 3367-3375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2003.10.022

  9. 9. Khajelakzay, M., Bakhshi, S.R. and Borhani, G.H. (2015) Synthesis of Magnesium Silicon Nitride Nanopowder by Employing Two-Step Method. Advances in Applied Ceramics, 114, 321-325. https://doi.org/10.1179/1743676115Y.0000000005

  10. 10. Peng, L., Xu, L.Q., Ju, Z.C., Zhang, J., Yang, J. and Qian, Y.T. (2007) Large-Scale Synthesis of Magnesium Silicon Nitride Powders at Low Temperature. Journal of American Ceramic Society, 91, 333-336. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2007.02141.x

  11. 11. Peng, G.H., Jiang, G.J., Zhuang, H.R. and Li, W.L. (2005) A Novel Route for Preparing MgSiN2 Powder by Combustion Synthesis. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 397, 65-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2005.01.047

  12. 12. Tanaka, S., Itatani, K., Uchida, H., Aizawa, M., Davies, I.J., Suemasu, H., Nozue, A. and Okada, I. (2002) The Effect of Rare-Earth Oxide Addition on the Hot-Pressing of Magnesium Silicon Nitride. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 22, 777-783. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0955-2219(01)00380-6

  13. 13. Itatani, K., Davies, I.J., Kuwano, H. and Aizawa, M. (2002) Sinterability of Magnesium Silicon Nitride Powder with Yttrium Oxide Addition Coated Using the Homogeneous Precipitation Method. Journal of Materials Science, 37, 737-744. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013835713676

  14. 14. Chen, B. (2012) Preparation of Boride, Carbide and Nitride Micro/Nanocrystal by Sodium Sulfide Assisted Low Temperature Initiation. PhD Thesis, Shandong University, Jinan. (In Chinese)

  15. 15. Peng, G.H., Lu, F.Q., Liang, Z.H., Liu, X. and Li, W.L. (2010) Study on the Synthesis of MgSiN2 by a Powder Combustion Reaction Process. Powder Metal Technologies, 28, 178-182. (In Chinese)

  16. 16. Jiang, G.J., Xu, J.Y., Shen, H., Zhang, Y., Peng, G.H., Zhuang, H.R., Li, W.L., Xu, S.Y. and Mao, Y.J. (2010) Fabrication of Silicon Nitride Ceramics with Magnesium Silicon Nitride and Yttrium Oxide as Sintering Additives. 1st Annual Meeting on Testing and Evaluation of Inorganic Materials, Nanchang, 28-30 April 2010, 235-237.

  17. 17. Liang, Z.H., Li, J., Gui, L.C., Peng, G.H., Zhang, Z. and Jiang, G.J. (2013) The Role of MgSiN2 during the Sintering Process of Silicon Nitride Ceramic. Ceramics International, 39, 3817-3822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2012.10.222

  18. 18. Liang, Z.H., Zhang, H.L., Gui, L.C., Li, J., Peng, G.H. and Jiang, G.J. (2013) Effects of Whisker-Like β-Si3N4 Seeds on Phase Transformation and Mechanical Properties of α/β Si3N4 Composites using MgSiN2 as Additives. Ceramics International, 39, 2743-2751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2012.09.041

  19. 19. Peng, G.H., Jiang, G.J., Zhuang, H.R., Li, W.L. and Xu, S.Y. (2005) Fabrication of β-Si3N4 Whiskers by Combustion Synthesis with MgSiN2 as Additives. Materials Research Bulletin, 40, 2139-2143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2005.07.002

  20. 20. Peng, G.H., Zhang, H.L., Li, J., Liang, Z.H., Gui, L.C. and Jiang, G.J. (2012) A Translucent and Hard α/β Si3N4 Composite Hot-Pressed at Low Temperature with an MgSiN2 Additive. Scripta Materialia, 67, 1011-1014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2012.09.017

  21. 21. Kulshreshtha, C., Kwak, J.H., Park, Y.J. and Sohn, K.S. (2009) Photoluminescent and Decay Behaviors of Mn2+ and Ce3+ Coactivated MgSiN2 Phosphors for Use in Light-Emitting-Diode Applications. Optics Letters, 34, 794-796. https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.34.000794

  22. 22. Duan, C.C., Delsing, A.A. and Hintzen, H.B. (2009) Red Emission from Mn2+ on a Tetrahedral Site in MgSiN2. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 56, 1733-1734.

  23. 23. Hirao, K., Hayashi, H., Itatani, K. and Yamauchi, Y. (2002) Effect of MgSiN2 Addition on Microstructure and Thermal Conductivity of Silicon Nitride Ceramics. Key Engineering Materials, 206-213, 1021-1024.

  24. 24. Michálková, M., Lencés, Z., Michálek, M., Kocher, P., Kuebler, J. and Sajgalík, P. (2013) Improvement of Electrical Conductivity of Silicon Nitride/Carbon Nano-Fibers Composite using Magnesium Silicon Nitride and Ytterbium Oxide as Sintering Additives. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 33, 2429-2434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2013.04.037

  25. 25. Zhu, X.W. (2008) Effect of MgSiN2 Addition on Gas Pressure Sintering and Thermal Conductivity of Silicon Nitride with Y2O3. Journal of the Ceramic Society of Japan, 116, 706-711. https://doi.org/10.2109/jcersj2.116.706

  26. 26. Uchida, H., Itatani, K., Aizawa, M., Howell, F.S. and Kishioka, A. (1997) Synthesis of Magnesium Silicon Nitride by the Nitridation of Powders in the Magnesium-Si- licon System. Journal of the Ceramic Society of Japan, 105, 934-939. https://doi.org/10.2109/jcersj.105.934

  27. 27. Bruls, R.J., Hintzen, H.T. and Metselaar, R. (1999) Preparation and Characterisation of MgSiN2 Powders. Journal of Materials Science, 34, 4519-4531. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004645407523

  28. 28. Lences, Z., Hirao, K., Yamauchi, Y. and Kanzaki, S. (2003) Reaction Synthesis of Magnesium Silicon Nitride Powder. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 86, 1088-1093. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.2003.tb03429.x

  29. 29. Yang, J.H., Qiu, J.F. and Li, J.T. (2011) Preparation of Single-Phase Magnesium Silicon Nitride Powder by a Two-Step Process. Ceramics International, 37, 673-677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2010.09.055

  30. 30. Uchida, H., Itatani, K., Aizawa, M., Howell, F.S. and Kishioka, A. (1999) Preparation of Magnesium Silicon Nitride Powder by the Carbothermal Reduction Technique. Advanced Powder Technology, 10, 133-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8831(08)60445-8

  31. 31. Blair, R.G., Anderson, A. and Kaner, R.B. (2005) A Solid-State Metathesis Route to MgSiN2. Chemistry of Materials, 17, 2155-2161. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm048234v

  32. 32. Lencés, Z., Pentráková, L., Hrabalová, M., Sajgalík, P. and Hirao, K. (2011) Decomposition of MgSiN2 in Nitrogen Atmosphere. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 31, 1473-1480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2011.02.023

  33. 33. Zhang, Y.G. (2015) Research on High Performance Silicon Nitride Ceramic Powders. PhD Thesis, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou. (In Chinese)