Synthesis of CrB2 powders at 800°C under ambient pressure

CrB2 powders were successfully synthesized by the borothermal reduction of Cr2O3 at 800-1000 degrees C under ambient pressure without B in excess. The presence of molten NaCl/KCl salts not only greatly decreased the synthesis temperature without introducing any impurities but also induced a small particle size. The CrB2 powders synthesized at 900 degrees C had the largest specific surface area of 11.09 m(2)/g and the lowest equivalent average particle size of 104 nm, respectively.