Special features of preparation of nanosized zirconium diboride powders of various dispersity

Abstract

Products of the zirconium powder reaction with amorphous boron in a Na₂B₄O₇ ionic melt at 650–850°C and those of the ZrCl₄ reaction with NaBH₄ at 300–725°C have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and elemental analysis. At temperature ≥750°C, single-phase ZrB₂ with the particle size of 60–80 nm is formed in a Na₂B₄O₇ ionic melt, whereas the ZrB₂ powder obtained via the reaction of ZrCl₄ with NaBH₄ at temperature ≥575°C consists of particles differing in the shape, some of which are close to spherical with diameter of 10–35 nm.