Synthesis of prismatic β-sialon from the precursor of SBA-15 incorporated with Al(NO3)3 via carbothermal reduction nitridation

Prismatic β-sialon was obtained via carbothermal reduction nitridation of the precursor of SBA-15 incorporated with Al(NO3)3 under N2 atmosphere at 1450 °C. The effects of calcined temperature on the phase and structures of the samples obtained at 550, 1150, 1250, 1350, and 1450 °C were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction. Calcined at 550 °C, the resulting material was amorphous, which was SiO2/Al2O3 composites with the similar structure SBA-15, while β-cristobalite, mullite and β-Si3N4 was formed in the tested temperature range of 1150–1350 °C. Finally, β-sialon with high purity and yield were obtained at 1450 °C. The microstructural evolution of β-sialon at different sintered temperature was examined using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that well-shaped prismatic β-sialon, with a high yield of 98% was successfully prepared via carbothermal reduction nitridation from the precursor of SBA-15 with Al(NO3)3 under N2 atmosphere at 1450 °C.