Synthesis of Vanadium Diboride Nanoparticles via Reaction of Amorphous Boron with Vanadium in KCl and Na2B4O7 Ionic Melts

Reaction between vanadium and boron powders in the stoichiometric ratio 1 : 2 at a temperature of 800 degrees C, argon pressure of 4 MPa, and reaction time of 32 h in Na2B4O7 and KCl ionic melts has been studied by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, frustrated total internal reflection IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and elemental analysis. The results demonstrate that, independent of the composition and nature of the melts, the reaction yields phase-pure vanadium diboride nanoparticles with an average diameter near 90 nm.