Synthesis of MgSiN2 under 0.1 MPa of nitrogen pressure via combustion

In this study, MgSiN2 is prepared via combustion synthesis under low-pressure nitrogen (0.1 MPa), and the effects of the mixture composition and nitrogen pressure on the obtained products are investigated. The combustion temperature increases with the amount of silicon, and β-Si3N4 is detected as the main impurity when a significant amount of silicon is incorporated. In addition, the combustion temperature increases with the nitrogen pressure, and the purity of MgSiN2 increases because the high pressure restricts the vaporization of magnesium. These results suggest that increasing magnesium content is efficient for the synthesis of single-phase MgSiN2 at 0.1 MPa of nitrogen because magnesium is volatilized from the reaction system under the low nitrogen pressure. Hence, single-phase MgSiN2 can be synthesized under 0.1 MPa of nitrogen using a mixture containing a significant amount of magnesium.