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Synthesis of nanocrystalline boron carbide from boric acid–sucrose gel precursor

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Abstract

A novel method, based on the combustion of boric acid–sucrose xerogel was developed to synthesize nanocrystalline boron carbide powder. This xerogel was pyrolyzed at 1273 K. Boron carbide was obtained by heating this precursor at 1823 K. The yield of boron carbide was improved by the use of a novel graphite crucible designed for this purpose. The xerogel and the precursor were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The constituent phases were identified by using X-ray diffraction while their elemental composition was established with the help of chemical assay. The microstructure of the final product was examined with the help of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. This study demonstrates that the yield of boron carbide would be enhanced to about 48% while the free carbon content in the final product could be reduced to about 6 wt%. These are significant improvements over similar studies reported so far on the gel-based preparation of boron carbide.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support from Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for carrying out the experimental work is highly acknowledged. The authors acknowledge Dr. G. Paneerselvam for XRD analysis, Mrs. R. Sudha for SEM analysis, Mr. N. Ramanathan for FTIR analysis, and Mr. V. Thomas Paul for TEM analysis.

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  1. Materials Processing Chemistry Section, Material Chemistry Division, Chemistry Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, 603102, India

    Trinadha Raja Pilladi, K. Ananthasivan, S. Anthonysamy & V. Ganesan

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  1. Trinadha Raja Pilladi
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  2. K. Ananthasivan
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  3. S. Anthonysamy
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  4. V. Ganesan
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Correspondence to S. Anthonysamy.

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Pilladi, T.R., Ananthasivan, K., Anthonysamy, S. et al. Synthesis of nanocrystalline boron carbide from boric acid–sucrose gel precursor. J Mater Sci 47, 1710–1718 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-5950-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-5950-5

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