Low temperature synthesis of NbB2 nanorods by a solid-state reaction route

Niobium diboride (NbB2) nanoorods have been successfully synthesized by the reaction of NbCl5 with NaBH4 in the temperature range of 550-650 degrees C in an autoclave. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron diffraction show that the as-prepared products are NbB2. Transmission electron micrographs shows that the average diameter of samples are in the range of 50-60 nm and the length is up to 600 nm. The mechanism for the formation of crystalline NbB2 is proposed. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.