Nanosized Vanadium Diboride: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties

X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopic, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic examinations, as well as energy dispersive X-ray and elemental analyses revealed the formation of single-phase VB2 with the average particle sizes of 20-35 nm from the reaction between vanadium(III) chloride and sodium borohydride at a molar ratio of 1: 10 in the temperature range of 595-930 degrees C in an argon atmosphere at a contact time of 14-28 h. The reaction between amorphous boron and vanadium powders at 800 degrees C in an argon atmosphere at a contact time of 32 h in Na2B4O7 and KCl ionic melts gave VB2 with the average particle size of similar to 90 nm.