Synthesis of nanostructured AlN by solid state reaction of Al and diaminomaleonitrile

The solid state reaction of diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) with aluminum via both mechanochemical and thermal treatment routes was studied by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. During the milling process, the reaction starts with the deammoniation of the DAMN molecules, followed by the formation of nanostructured AlN powder as the main solid product after milling for 7 h. The reactivity of the mixed powder was also investigated during the conventional thermal treatment process using differential scanning calorimetry, derivative thermogravimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The results reveal that DAMN starts to polymerize at 192 °C by the elimination of the amine groups. Furthermore, increasing the annealing temperature leads to the formation of a nitrogen-containing carbonaceous material with the structure similar to non-crystalline carbon. However, no evidence for the formation of AlN was observed in the annealed samples even at temperatures as high as the Al melting point.

Graphical abstractAlN nanoparticles obtained after milling of Al and diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) for 12 h.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Solid state reaction of diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) with Al was studied via mechanochemical and thermal treatment routs. ► Nanocrystalline AlN was successfully synthesized by the mechanochemical process. ► The C/N material was formed by polymerization of DAMN during the thermal treatment process. ► No reaction between DAMN and Al was detected during the thermal treatment method.