Macro-quantity synthesis of AlN nanowires via combined technique of arc plasma jet and thermal treatment

A two-step approach for macro-synthesis of AlN nanowires was developed in this study. The Al nano-particles were first prepared by directly injecting a rough Al powder (20–50 μm in size) into N2 thermal plasma jet, subsequently the formed nano-particles were heated at 1100 °C in N2 atmosphere for 3 h, and finally at least 31% of the as-heated intermediate was transformed into the separable AlN nanowires. It provides a new route employing nano-particles as precursors to fabricate nanowires, and this achievement is also a significant work for large-scale production and commercial application of AlN nanowires.