Spherical boron nitride particles and method for preparing them

A method for generating larger particles of boron nitride from smaller particles of boron nitride, comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating an aerosol comprising precursor particles of boron nitride suspended in an aerosol gas;
• (b) generating a plasma from a plasma gas, the plasma comprising nitrogen atoms, the plasma including a plasma hot zone having a temperature sufficiently high to melt boron nitride;
• (c) directing the aerosol into the plasma hot zone and allowing the precursor particles of boron nitride to melt, collide, and join to form larger particles;
• and
• (d) allowing the molten particles to exit the hot zone, whereby they cool and solidify to form solid particles of boron nitride that are larger than the precursor particles.

Crystalline or partially crystalline boron nitride (BN) particles made by the process comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating an aerosol comprising precursor particles of boron nitride (BN) suspended in an aerosol gas;
• (b) generating a plasma from a plasma gas, the plasma comprising nitrogen atoms, the plasma including a plasma hot zone having a temperature sufficiently high to melt boron nitride;
• (c) directing the directing the aerosol into the plasma hot zone and allowing the precursor particles of boron nitride to melt;
• and
• (d) allowing the molten particles to exit the hot zone, whereby they cool and solidify to form crystalline or partially crystalline solid particles of boron nitride.

Crystalline or partially crystalline boron nitride particles made by the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating an aerosol comprising precursor particles of boron nitride suspended in an aerosol gas;
• (b) generating a plasma from a plasma gas, the plasma comprising nitrogen atoms, the plasma including a plasma hot zone having a temperature sufficiently high to melt boron nitride but not high enough to decompose the boron nitride;
• (c) directing the aerosol into the plasma hot zone and allowing the precursor particles of boron nitride to melt, collide, and join to form larger particles;
• and
• (d) allowing the molten particles to exit the hot zone, whereby they cool and solidify to form crystalline or partially crystalline solid particles of boron nitride that are larger than the precursor particles.