Synthesis of nanocrystalline magnesium nitride (Mg3N2) powder using thermal plasma

▶ Nitrogen addition in plasma promoted the vaporization of magnesium. ▶ Injection of NH3 in low temperature region improves the crystallinity of Mg3N2. ▶ The reaction mechanism can be written as: 2NH3 → 2N + 6H (at interface of Mg gas and NH3); (2) 3Mg(g) + 2N(g) → Mg3N2; overall reaction: 3Mg(g) + 2NH3(g) → Mg3N2 + 3H2.