Synthesis of Ni₂B nanoparticles by RF thermal plasma for fuel cell catalyst

The catalyst of Ni₂B nanoparticles was successfully prepared using nickel and boron as precursors with the quenching gas in radio frequency thermal plasmas. The generating of Ni₂B needs adequate reaction temperature and boron content in precursors. The quenching gas is beneficial for the synthesis of Ni₂B in RF thermal plasma. The effect of quenching rate, powder feed rate and boron content in feeding powders on the synthesis of nickel boride nanoparticles was studied in this research. The high mass fraction of 28 % of Ni₂B nanoparticles can be generated at the fixed initial composition of Ni:B = 2:3. Quenching gas is necessary in the synthesis of Ni₂B nanoaprticles. In addition, the mass fraction of Ni₂B increases with the increase of quenching gas flow rate and powder feed rate.