Surface Characterization of Silicon Nitride and Silicon Carbide Powders

Abstract

The nature and composition of the surfaces of silicon nitride and silicon carbide powders were investigated using high voltage and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). An amorphous oxide (or oxygen-rich) layer, approximately equals 3-5 nm thick, present on the powder surfaces forms strong bridges between particles. Both XPS and SIMS show that oxygen is the major impurity on the powder surfaces, but minor impurities such as chlorine, fluorine, carbon, iron, and sodium are also revealed. The extent of the oxide layer was reduced substantially by washing the powder in anhydrous hydrofluoric acid or by treatment in an argon/hydrogen gas mixture at approximately equals 1300 degree C. Surface treatment in the gas mixture did not cause further agglomeration of the powder.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0002-7812

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1986 American Ceramic Society, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Aug 1986

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