Preventing hydrolysis of AlN powders with organophosphate coating in aqueous media

The coating of aluminum nitride (AlN) powder has a great importance industrially and environmentally. AlN can be rapidly hydrolyzed to aluminum hydroxide and ammonia in the atmosphere or water media. To prevent the hydrolysis of AlN, the inorganic or organic based coatings are used frequently. First time, in this study, the phosphate esters as organophosphate coating were used for the inhibition of hydrolysis reaction of AlN in its water suspension. Phenyl phosphate showed the best inhibition against AlN hydrolysis with an easy application technique and as low as 0.005 M diluted concentration. AlN coating efficiency was proved by spectroscopic and imaging methods. It was concluded that the coating acquired the protective properties of phenyl phosphate through its water repellence.