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.