Synthesis of AlN hollow nanospheres via an in situ generated template method

An in situ generated template method has been developed via the simple reaction of AlCl₃ with NH₃ for the synthesis of AlN hollow nanospheres with diameters of 80-400 nm and shell thickness of ∼15 nm. On the basis of the detailed characterization on the intermediate compounds, the preparation process has been elucidated which includes the first formation of the AlCl₃ · xNH₃ @ AlN core-shell nanostructures followed by the decomposition of the inner compound around 1100°C. This reaction route successfully extended the traditional CVD reaction of AlCl ₃ with NH₃ from producing solid AlN powder to preparing AlN hollow nanospheres.