SYNTHETIC ROUTES TO HIGH SURFACE-AREA NONOXIDE MATERIALS

Review: Non-oxide ceramic compositions, such as carbides, nitrides, borides, and sulfides, in their compacted forms show outstanding mechanical strength and resistance to wear. These properties depend a defect-free microstructure which can best be obtained through the use of homogeneous, high surface area powdered starting materials. The methods of preparing such powders, and also their use in other applications, such as catalysis, are reviewed.