Nitride formation by the carbothermal reduction of a zeolite-polyacrylonitrile inclusion compound

An inclusion compound between zeolite and polyacrylonitrile has been applied as a precursor for the carbothermal reduction process. By heat treatment at 1400 to 1600° C in N₂, -sialon was mainly obtained. The X phase, -Si₃N₄, the 15R-AlN phase, AIN, and mullite also formed under certain firing conditions. On the other hand, -Si₂N₄ was detected as the principal crystalline phases as well as -sialon in the products from zeolite-carbon mixtures. Hence, the use of the inclusion compound was advantageous for -sialon production in the conversion of zeolite to nitrides.