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Synthesis of cubic silicon nitride

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Zerr

    (Fachgebiet Disperse Feststoffe, Fachbereich Materialwissenschaft, Technische Universität Darmstadt)

  • Gerhard Miehe

    (Fachgebiet Strukturforschung, Fachbereich Materialwissenschaft, Technische Universitt Darmstadt)

  • George Serghiou

    (Max-Planck-Institut fr Chemie)

  • Marcus Schwarz

    (Fachgebiet Disperse Feststoffe, Fachbereich Materialwissenschaft, Technische Universität Darmstadt)

  • Edwin Kroke

    (Fachgebiet Disperse Feststoffe, Fachbereich Materialwissenschaft, Technische Universität Darmstadt)

  • Ralf Riedel

    (Fachgebiet Disperse Feststoffe, Fachbereich Materialwissenschaft, Technische Universität Darmstadt)

  • Hartmut Fueß

    (Fachgebiet Strukturforschung, Fachbereich Materialwissenschaft, Technische Universitt Darmstadt)

  • Peter Kroll

    (Cornell University, Baker Laboratory)

  • Reinhard Boehler

    (Max-Planck-Institut fr Chemie)

Abstract

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) is used in a variety of important technological applications. The high fracture toughness, hardness and wear resistance of Si3N4-based ceramics are exploited in cutting tools and anti-friction bearings1; in electronic applications, Si3N4 is used as an insulating, masking and passivating material2. Two polymorphs of silicon nitride are known, both of hexagonal structure: α- and β-Si3N4. Here we report the synthesis of a third polymorph of silicon nitride, which has a cubic spinel structure. This new phase, c-Si3N4, is formed at pressures above 15 GPa and temperatures exceeding 2,000 K, yet persists metastably in air at ambient pressure to at least 700 K. First-principles calculations of the properties of this phase suggest that the hardness of c-Si3N4 should be comparable to that of the hardest known oxide (stishovite3, a high-pressure phase of SiO2), and significantly greater than the hardness of the two hexagonal polymorphs.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Zerr & Gerhard Miehe & George Serghiou & Marcus Schwarz & Edwin Kroke & Ralf Riedel & Hartmut Fueß & Peter Kroll & Reinhard Boehler, 1999. "Synthesis of cubic silicon nitride," Nature, Nature, vol. 400(6742), pages 340-342, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:400:y:1999:i:6742:d:10.1038_22493
    DOI: 10.1038/22493
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