Conditions for carbothermal synthesis of a-Si3N4 are presented with special emphasis on the reaction temperature, C: SiOz ratio, and precursor mixing. With pure precursors, the conversion temperature is 1500" to 1550°C. An excess of C is necessary for complete conversion, and a simple sol-gelmixing technique provides excellent intermixing of the precursors. Copious flow of Nz gas throughout the reactor bed is essential if pure Si3N4 is to be produced; small concentrations of CO and Oz promote Sic and Si2Nz0, respectively.
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