Abstract: Ceramic or ceramic-like single, two, or multilayer coatings having aluminum nitride as one of the layers are provided, including methods for the preparation of such coatings which produce planarizing, passivating and hermetic barrier coatings on temperature sensitive substrates such as semiconductors and electronic devices. The aluminum nitride ceramic or ceramic-like coating is provided by applying a liquid alkylaluminum amide having the formula (R.sub.2 AlNH.sub.2).sub.3, where R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, neat or diluted in an organic solvent. The liquid coating is then dried, followed by heating the coating to a temperature of between about 400.degree. to about 100.degree. C. in the presence of ammonia to produce an aluminum nitride-containing ceramic coating.