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Low-temperature-controlled synthesis and growth mechanism of AlN whiskers

Abstract Aluminium nitride whiskers were successfully synthesised by direct nitridation of Al and Al2O3 in graphite crucible under nitrogen atmospheres. The influence of reaction conditions such as molar ratio of Al:Al2O3 and reaction temperature on the formation of the AlN whiskers have been investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Through characterising the microstructure and phase constitution of the as-prepared samples, the optimum synthesis conditions of the AlN whiskers were obtained. Moreover, the growth mechanism of AlN whiskers was discussed combining thermodynamic analysis indicating that the AlN whiskers could be grown via vapour–liquid–solid mechanism.