Solid state synthesis of nitride, carbide and boride nanocrystals in an autoclave

This feature article provides a brief overview of the latest developments in the solid state synthesis of various nitride, carbide and boride nanocrystals in an autoclave at mild temperatures. An additive assisted route was developed for nitride, carbide and boride nanocrystals. In the presence of S powder, 3C–SiC nanocrystals were obtained utilizing waste plastics and Si powder at 350–500 °C. With the assistance of I2, rare-earth and alkaline-earth hexaboride nanocrystals were prepared at temperatures below 400 °C. As N-aminothiourea and iodine were added to the system containing Si and NaN3, β-Si3N4 nanorods and α,β-Si3N4 nanoparticles could be prepared at 60 °C. A ternary nitride of MgSiN2 can also be prepared at 350–500 °C using Si, Mg, and NaN3 as reactants.