Synthesizing of zirconium nitride powders by dynamic thermochemical method

In this study, zirconium nitride (ZrN) powders were prepared using zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and carbon black via the dynamic thermochemical method, called the dynamic carbothermal reduction and nitridation (DCRN) method. The effects of process temperatures on phase transformation and produced powder morphologies in a dynamic system under flowing nitrogen atmosphere were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. For this purpose, the various test parameters were investi-gated, such as reaction temperatures (1400, 1450, 1500 degrees C), reaction time (1, 2, 3 h) and rotation rates (2, 4, 6 rpm). The results show that ZrN powders of sub-micron size can be obtained at 1500 degrees C for 1 h and 4 rpm by the dynamic thermochemical method.