Synthesis of Boron Carbide from Boric Acid and Carbon-Containing Precursors

Abstract

The paper compares low-temperature techniques for boron carbide synthesis. Boron carbide was syn-thesized via reaction between boric acid and various carbon precursors, e.g. phenol-formaldehyde resin, su-crose, carbon black, and potato starch. Initial compositions and carbon precursor preparation techniques were selected for synthesis. The resulting products were characterized by IR spectrometry, X-ray diffrac-tion (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. Possible boron carbide yields up to 95 % of the theoretical yield as calculated from initial boron contents at temperatures of 1550 oС were demonstrated. XRD con-firmed that the synthesized boron carbide (B4C) has a rhombohedral crystalline structure. Final product morphology may be tailored, ranging from isometric to needle-like crystallite morphology. Nanopowders as processed via high-energy milling may be further used as sintering additive for processing of boron carbide ceramics. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/35601