Effect of lithium on structure formation of graphite-like boron nitride with carbothermal synthesis

Formation of a graphite-like boron nitride structure during carbothermal analysis in the presence of lithium compounds in a stream of nitrogen or ammonia is studied by electron microscopy, x-ray, and chemical methods. A marked reduction in the formation temperature for graphite-like boron nitride with a highly ordered structure is observed and chemical aspects of the process are discussed.