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Science of Sintering 2009
Preparation of nanosized non-oxide powders using diatomaceous earthDOI: 10.2298/sos0902151s Keywords: gas-solid reactions , microstructure , X-ray diffraction , scanning electron microscopy Abstract: In this paper the nanosized non-oxide powders were prepared by carbothermal reduction and subsequent nitridation of diatomaceous earth which is a waste product from coal exploitation. Our scope was to investigate the potential use of diatomaceous earth as a main precursor for low-cost nanosized non-oxide powder preparation as well as to solve an environmental problem. The influence of carbon materials (carbonized sucrose, carbon cryogel and carbon black) as a reducing agent on synthesis and properties of low-cost nanosized nonoxide powders was also studied. The powders were characterized by specific surface area, X-ray and SEM investigations. It was found that by using diatomaceous earth it is was possible to produce either a mixture of non-oxide powders (Si3N4/SiC) or pure SiC powders depending on temperature.
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