Formation of Silicon Nitride Whiskers from Rice Hulls [Translated]†

• Main Authors: Yasunari Kaneko, Kei Ameyama, Hiromichi Iwasaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hosokawa Powder Technology Foundation 2014-06-01
• Series: KONA Powder and Particle Journal
• Online Access: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/kona/7/0/7_1989014/_pdf/-char/en

The formation of Si3N4 whiskers from rice hulls was studied. Si3N4 whiskers were synthesized by nitridation of SiO2-C system in N2-gas flows at 1400 and 1450ºC. The shape and microstructure of the whiskers were SEM and TEM inspected. The whiskers of a cylindrical shape grew along the < 1011 > direction without any defects. The phase of the whiskers was of the a-type and their diameter and length were 0.1∼0.5 μm and 300∼1800 μm, respectively. A droplet of Fe-Si system was found at the tip of the whiskers. It is suggested that the VLS mechanism controls the growth of the whiskers.† This report was originally printed in Journal of the Society of Materials Science, Japan, 37(412), 65-69 (1988) in Japanese, before being translated into English by KONA Editorial Committee with the permission of the editorial committee of the Soc. Materials Science, Japan.