Patent ID: 6461989
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: C04B

Abstract:
A process for forming a material comprising an M3X1Z2 phase wherein M is at least one transition metal, X is at least one of Al, Ge and Si, and Z is at least one of B, C and N, said process comprising the steps of:(a) providing a mixture of (i) at least one transition metal species, (ii) at least one co-metal species selected from the group consisting of aluminum species, germanium species and silicon species, and (iii) at least one non-metal species selected from the group consisting of boron species, carbon species and nitrogen species; (b) heating said mixture to a temperature of about 1000Â° C. to about 1800Â° C., in an atmosphere within a substantially enclosed heating zone, for a time sufficient to form said M3X1Z2 phase; wherein the atmosphere has an O2 partial pressure of no greater than about 1Ã—10âˆ’6 atm.