Synthesis of Cubic Boron Nitride by Decomposition of Magnesium Boron Nitride

Cubic boron nitride ( c -BN) was synthesized by the decomposition of Mg₃BN₃ under high pressure and high temperature. The minimum pressure for c -BN synthesis was 4 GPa, which was 1 GPa lower than that of the conventional catalytic process. The decomposition of Mg₃BN₃ was observed only when H₂O was added. Therefore, the reaction was as follows: Mg₃BN₃+ 3H₂O = 3MgO + c -BN + 2NH₃. The c -BN crystals obtained were tetrahedron in shape and about 10 μ m in diameter.