Formation of gallium nitride by a novel hot mechanical alloying process

Abstract

Using a novel ball mill with controlled ball movement and operating at elevated temperature, gallium nitride powder has been synthetized by simple milling of gallium metal in a dry ammonia atmosphere. The structural changes resulting from milling were studied by x-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. The elemental composition of the as-milled product was analyzed using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. A nanostructural phase was obtained following milling, which transforms into polycrystalline GaN of the wurtzite-type structure upon further thermal treatment.