Influence of B4C Particle Size on the Synthesis of ZrB2 by Boro/Carbothermal Reduction Method

ZrB 2 powders were synthesized using B 4 C of different particle sizes through boro/carbo thermal reduction (BCTR) of ZrO 2 with B 4 C and carbon as reducing agents. The XRD patterns of all the five different powders produced were similar and showed ZrB 2 as a major phase. An increase in B 4 C particle size showed a significant increase in oxygen and carbon content and the size of agglomerates of the synthesized powders. Even though, the average size of the ZrB 2 particles associated with all the agglomerates were same. It was concluded that B 4 C of fine particle size is necessary for the synthesis of ZrB 2 powder with low oxygen and carbon content and lower agglomerates sizes. The synthesis route also provided a novel route to synthesize ZrB 2 powder with the required size of agglomerates. Graphical Abstract