Preparation of ZrB2 Powders by a Combined Sol-Gel and Carbothermal Reduction Method

Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) powders were synthesized by a combined sol-gel and carbothermal reduction method in which zirconium oxychloride, boric acid and phenolic resin were used as source of zirconia, boron oxide, and carbon. The infuences of molar ratio of raw materials and calcination temperatures on the phase composition and morphology of powders were investigated. The results showed that the powders with smaller particle size and higher purity were synthesized at 1500 oC with the molar ratio of Zr, B and C was 2.4: 1: 6.