New combustion synthesis technique for the production of (InxGa1−x)2O3 powders: Hydrazine/metal nitrate method

Abstract

A new low-temperature method to produce (InxGa1−x)2O3 (x = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) powders with high purity, high chemical homogeneity and improved crystallinity in the as-synthesized state has been developed. This procedure produced finely divided powders through an exothermic reaction between the precursors. The process starts with aqueous solutions of In(NO3)3 and Ga(NO3)3 as the precursors and hydrazine as the (noncarbonaceous) fuel. The combustion reaction occurred when heating the precursors between 150 and 200 °C in a closed vessel filled with an inert gas (Ar), which yields (InxGa1−x)2O3 directly. These materials were compared with powders prepared by a more typical combustion synthesis reaction between nitrates and a carbonaceous fuel at a higher ignition temperature of 500 °C.