Synthesis of Highly Dispersed Zirconium Diboride for Fabrication of Special-Purpose Ceramic

Abstract

Reduction of zirconium dioxide with boron carbide and nanofibrous carbon in argon yielded a highly dispersed powder of zirconium diboride. Characteristics of zirconium diboride powders were examined by various analytical methods. The material obtained is represented by a single phase, zirconium diboride. Powder particles are for the most part aggregated. The average size of particles and aggregates is 10.9–12.9 μm with a wide size distribution. The specific surface area of the samples is 1.8–3.6 m² g^–1. The oxidation of zirconium diboride begins at a temperature of 640°C The optimal synthesis parameters were determined: ZrO₂: B₄C: C molar ratio of 2: 1: 3 (in accordance with stoichiometry), process temperature 1600–1700°C, synthesis duration 20 min.