Nanosized Vanadium Diboride: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties

Abstract

X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopic, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic examinations, as well as energy dispersive X-ray and elemental analyses revealed the formation of single-phase VB₂ with the average particle sizes of 20–35 nm from the reaction between vanadium(III) chloride and sodium borohydride at a molar ratio of 1: 10 in the temperature range of 595–930°C in an argon atmosphere at a contact time of 14–28 h. The reaction between amorphous boron and vanadium powders at 800°C in an argon atmosphere at a contact time of 32 h in Na₂B₄O₇ and KCl ionic melts gave VB₂ with the average particle size of ~90 nm.