Synthesis of zirconium diboride platelets from mechanically activated ZrCl_4 and B powder mixture

摘要

ZrB_2 platelets were prepared by mechanochemical processing a zirconium (IV) chloride-boron mixture with subsequent annealing from 800 °C to 1200 °C. The phases present were identified by X-ray diffraction. The size and morphology of the synthesized ZrB_2 powders were characterized by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. At 800 °C, ZrO_2 was detected in absence of ZrB_2. At or above 1000 °C, ZrCl_4-B converted to ZrB_2. Moreover, at 1200 °C, ZrCl_4-B completely converted to ZrB_2 without trace quantities of residual ZrO_2. The synthesized ZrB_2 consisted of platelets with a diameter of 0.1-2.1 ìm and a thickness of 40-200 nm.