Synthesis of ZrB2 by Carbothermic Method with Reactant Material Obtained from Polymer Precursor

Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) was synthesized via a carbothermic method using a ZrO2 powder mixture, which was obtained a reactant by mixing B2O3 and a carbon source derived from a polymer precursor as well as by combining glassy B2O3 with activated carbon. The polymer precursor was calcined to obtain the reactant powder. ZrB2 particles were synthesized with two different temperatures (1400 °C and 1500 °C). At 1500 °C, the product mainly consisted of short, cubic and prismatic grains exhibiting agglomerated morphologies, wheras at 1400 °C, longer rod-like grains and agglomerated prismatic structures were observed. The final products contained impurities such as ZrO₂ and ZrC. ZrB2 with rod-like morphology was synthesized at different temperatures using the reactant. It was observed that the particle size decreased with increasing synthesis temperature. A higher synthesis temperature also reduced the amount of residual ZrO2 and increased ZrC formation, likely due to boron source deficiency at high temperatures.