Superhard boron suboxide (B6O): Crystal structure,synthesis, properties,applications, and materials based thereon

A review of reported data on the crystal structure, synthesis, and properties of boron suboxide B₆O, which is a superhard material (hardness of up to 55 GPa, as measured in single crystals), and composites based on it is presented. Methods for the synthesis of B₆O with a icosahedral structure and for the growing of crystals at high temperature and high pressure are described. The mechanical and operational characteristics of composite materials based on B₆O are summarized; the resistance of B₆O to oxidation is analyzed, and the properties of B₆O–diamond and B₆O–B₄C composite materials are described.     

Solid-state synthesis of boron subnitride, B6N: myth or reality?

Solid-state synthesis of boron subnitride, B₆N, as a result of chemical interaction between boron and boron nitride at 7.5 GPa and 1700 °C has been previously reported by Hubert et al. However, a critical analysis of the results has shown that the evidence for the formation of boron subnitride with B₆O-like structure is inconclusive. We have studied in situ the interaction between boron and BN at the same p–T conditions using X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation. At 7.4 GPa and 1700 °C the formation of a new phase has not been observed. At the same time, HP–HT treatment has resulted in strong and unpredictable preferred orientation of boron crystallites. This leads to the rise of some weak boron reflections that might be erroneously attributed to the appearance of a new phase. To cite this article: V.L. Solozhenko et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).     

Evolution of structural features and mechanical properties during the conversion of poly[(methylamino)borazine] fibers into boron nitride fibers

Poly[(methylamino)borazine] (PolyMAB) green fibers of a mean diameter of 15 μm have been pyrolyzed under ammonia up to 1000°C and heat treated under nitrogen up to 2000°C to prepare boron nitride (BN) fibers. During the polymer-to-ceramic conversion, the mechanical properties of the green fibers increase within the 25-400°C temperature range owing to the formation of a preceramic material and remain almost constant up to 1000°C. Both the crystallinity and the mechanical properties slightly increase within the 1000-1400°C range, in association with the consolidation of the fused-B₃N₃ basal planes. A rapid increase in tensile strength (σ^R) and elastic modulus (Young's modulus E) is observed in relation with crystallization of the BN phase for fibers treated between 1400°C and 1800°C. At 2000°C, “meso-hexagonal” BN fibers of 7.5 μm in diameter are finally obtained, displaying values of σ^R=1.480 GPa and E=365 GPa. The obtention of both high mechanical properties and fine diameter for the as-prepared BN fibers is a consequence of the stretching of the green fibers on a spool which is used during their conversion into ceramic.     

Growth and some properties of Sc2AlB6 crystal obtained from the solution in aluminum melt

Crystals of Sc₂AlB₆ were grown using scandium oxide and elemental boron as starting materials in a self-component aluminum solution under an argon atmosphere. The growth conditions for obtaining single crystals of relatively large size were investigated. Sc₂AlB₆ single crystals were obtained in the form of prisms extending in the b-axis direction. The largest Sc₂AlB₆ crystals prepared had maximum dimensions of about 0.4×0.4×4.2 mm³. The values of the Vickers microhardness and the electrical resistivity of Sc₂AlB₆ crystals are 12.7±0.8 GPa and 43±8 μΩ cm, respectively. The oxidation of Sc₂AlB₆ crystals starts at about 773°C, and the weight gain after TG determination is 12.9 mass% at 1200°C. The oxidation products of Sc₂AlB₆ crystals could not determined.     

A multicommuted fluorescence-based sensing system for simultaneous determination of Vitamins B2 and B6

A multicommuted flow-through optosensor based on the direct fluorescence measurements of Vitamins B₂ and B₆ using a non-polar sorbent (C₁₈ silica gel) as solid sensing zone (to accomplish the separation and subsequent preconcentration/detection of the target analytes) have been developed. The proposed flow system was controlled by Java-written home-made software and designed using three-way solenoid valves for independent automated manipulation of sample and carrier solutions. The native fluorescence signal was simultaneously monitored at two pairs of excitation/emission wavelengths (450/519 and 294/395 for B₂ and B₆, respectively). The separation of the analytes was performed in the detection flow cell, using the differences in the sorption/elution process on the solid support between the two vitamins, due to their different polarity. Using an optimised sampling time, the analytical signal showed linearity in the range 0.01-0.4 and 0.15-3 μg ml⁻¹ with detection limits of 0.003 and 0.045 μg ml⁻¹ for B₂ and B₆, respectively, obtaining R.S.D. (%) values better than 2% for both analytes. The proposed methodology was applied to different pharmaceutical preparations, obtaining remarkably good results with recoveries ranging from 96 to 107.5%.     

Chemical interaction in the B-BN system at high pressures and temperatures.: Synthesis of novel boron subnitrides

Chemical interaction and phase transformations in the B-BN system have been in situ studied by X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation at pressures up to 5.3 GPa and temperatures up to 2800 K using multianvil press. New rhombohedral boron subnitride B₁₃N₂ has been synthesized by crystallization from the B-BN melt at 5 GPa. The structure of B₁₃N₂ belongs to the R-3m space group (a=5.4455(2) Å, c=12.2649(9) Å) and represents a new structural type. The subnitride is an individual compound and not a solid solution, in contrast to boron carbide. Besides, the formation of two other boron-rich B-N phases denoted as “B₆N” and “B₅₀N₂” has been observed. Their structures seem to be much more sophisticated and have not been even resolved to present time.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of two new hydrated borates, Zn8[(BO3)3O2(OH)3] and Pb[B5O8(OH)]·1.5H2O

Two new hydrated borates, Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O, have been prepared by hydrothermal reactions at 170 °C. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses showed that Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric space group R32 with a=8.006(2) Å, c=17.751(2) Å, Z=3 and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=6.656(2) Å, b=6.714(2) Å, c=10.701(2) Å, α=99.07(2)°, β=93.67(2)°, γ=118.87(1)°, Z=2. Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] represents a new structure type in which Zn-centered tetrahedra are connected via common vertices leading to helical ribbons _∞¹[Zn₈O₁₅(OH)₃]¹⁷⁻ that pack side by side and are further condensed through sharing oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional _∞³[Zn₈O₁₁(OH)₃]⁹⁻ framework. The boron atoms are incorporated into the channels in the framework to complete the final structure. Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O is a layered compound containing double ring [B₅O₈(OH)]²⁻ building units that share exocyclic oxygen atoms to form a two-dimensional layer. Symmetry-center-related layers are stacked along the c-axis and held together by interlayer Pb²⁺ ions and water molecules via electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. The IR spectra further confirmed the existence of both triangular BO₃ and OH groups in Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃], and BO₃, BO₄, OH groups as well as guest water molecules in Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal behavior of Sr3B2SiO8 borosilicate

Single crystals of Sr₃B₂SiO₈ were obtained by solid-state reaction of stoichiometric mixture at 1200 °C. The crystal structure of the compound has been solved by direct methods and refined to R1=0.064 (wR=0.133). It is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=12.361(4), b=3.927(1), c=5.419(1) Å, V=263.05(11) Å³. The structure contains zigzag pseudo-chains running along the b axis and built up from corner sharing (Si,B)−O polyhedra. Boron and silicon are statistically distributed over one site with their coordination strongly disordered. Sr atoms are located between the chains providing three-dimensional linkage of the structure.The formation of Sr₃B₂SiO₈ has been studied using annealing series in air at 900-1200 °C. According powder XRD, the probe contains pure Sr₃B₂SiO₈ over 1100 °C. The compound is not stable below 900 °C. In the pseudobinary Sr₂B₂O₅-Sr₃B₂SiO₈ system a new series of solid solutions Sr_3−xB₂Si_1−xO_8−3x (x=0-0.9) have been crystallized from melt. The thermal behavior of Sr₃B₂SiO₈ was investigated using powder high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) in the temperature range 20-900 °C. The anisotropic character of thermal expansion has been observed: α_a= −1.3, α_b=23.5, α_c=13.9, and α_V=36.1×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ (25 °C); α_a= −1.3, α_b=23.2, α_c=5.2, and α_V=27.1×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ (650 °C). Maximal thermal expansion of the structure along of the chain direction [0 1 0] is caused by the partial straightening of chain zigzag. Hinge mechanism of thermal expansion is discussed.     

Pressure induced structural phase transition of OsB2: First-principles calculations

Orthorhombic OsB₂ was synthesized at 1000 °C and its compressibility was measured by using the high-pressure X-ray diffraction in a Diacell diamond anvil cell from ambient pressure to 32 GPa [R.W. Cumberland, et al. (2005)]. First-principles calculations were performed to study the possibility of the phase transition of OsB₂. An analysis of the calculated enthalpy shows that orthorhombic OsB₂ can transfer to the hexagonal phase at 10.8 GPa. The calculated results with the quasi-harmonic approximation indicate that this phase transition pressure is little affected by the thermal effect. The calculated phonon band structure shows that the hexagonal P 6₃/mmc structure (high-pressure phase) is stable for OsB₂. We expect the phase transition can be further confirmed by the experimental work.     

New synthetic and structural studies on nitroso-ortho-carboranes RCB10H10CNO and bis(ortho-carboranyl)amines (RCB10H10C)2NH (R = Ph or Me)

Improved procedures are reported for the preparation of nitroso-carboranes RCb°NO (Cb° = 1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀; R = Ph, Me at cage carbon C2) in 44–77% yield, and of dicarboranylamines (RCb°)₂NH in 55–65% yield by reactions between the lithio-carboranes, RCb°Li and nitrosyl chloride, NOCl, in cold mixtures of diethyl ether and either pentane (for RCb°NO) or dimethoxyethane (for (RCb°)₂NH). Deprotonation of the amines by KO^tBu in toluene in the presence of 18-crown-6, (CH₂CH₂O)₆, affords the salts [K(18-crown-6)]⁺[(RCb°)₂N]⁻. X-ray crystal structures of PhCb°NO, (PhCb°)₂NH, (MeCb°)₂NH and [K(18-crown-6)]⁺[(PhCb°)₂N]⁻ are described, and the bonding implications of their cage C…C distances (1.68, 1.80, 1.75 and 1.99 Å, respectively) are discussed. These species provide further striking examples of the remarkable capacity of the ortho-carborane cage to act as a sensitive indicator of the π-donor characteristics of ligands attached to its cage carbon atoms.     

Thermochemistry of NaRb[B4O5(OH)4]·4H2O

The enthalpies of solution of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ aqueous hydrochloric acid and of RbCl in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid + sodium chloride) were determined. From these results and the enthalpy of solution of H₃BO₃ in approximately 1 mol dm⁻³ HCl(aq) and of sodium chloride in aqueous (hydrochloric acid + boric acid), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(5128.02 ± 1.94) kJ mol⁻¹ for NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O was obtained from the standard molar enthalpies of formation of NaCl(s), RbCl(s), H₃BO₃(s) and H₂O(l). The standard molar entropy of formation of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O was calculated from the Gibbs free energy of formation of NaRb[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·4H₂O computed from a group contribution method.     

Low-temperature synthesis of SrAl2O4 by a modified sol-gel route: XRD and Raman characterization

Among other alkaline-earth aluminates, the monoclinic (M) polymorph of SrAl₂O₄ can be used as host material for Eu²⁺ luminescence based phosphors. With the aim of reducing the synthesis temperature of this polymorph, we have produced and characterized by XRD and Raman scattering solid solutions of the SrAl_2−xB_xO₄ system (x?0.3) obtained by two different methods, a ceramic route and a modified sol-gel synthesis. Though the addition of boron lowers the temperature of obtention of the M polymorph in both type of samples, lower B contents are needed to stabilize the M form as single phase for samples prepared by the sol-gel method than through the ceramic route. In the sol-gel method, the M polymorph can be obtained at temperatures as low as 1200 °C, with a Boron content of just 1%. Rietveld profile analysis allows us to conclude that coexistence of the monoclinic and hexagonal polymorphs of SrAl₂O₄ occurs for samples synthesized below an onset temperature of about 1000-1100 °C, that depends on the sample composition. Above those temperatures, only the monoclinic phase is formed.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of Li2Rh3B2

Li₂Rh₃B₂ has been synthesized at 1000 °C from a stoichiometric mix of rhodium and boron and an excess of lithium. Li₂Rh₃B₂ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbam (no. 55, Z=2) with room temperature lattice constants a=5.7712(1) Å, b=9.4377(2) Å, c=2.8301(1) Å and cell volume 154.149(6) Å³. The structure was solved from single crystal X-ray diffraction yielding the final R indices (all data) R1=2.8% and wR2=4.7%. The structure is a distortion of the CeCo₃B₂ structure type, containing a network of Rh₆B trigonal prisms and short Li-Li contacts of 2.28(2) Å. Li₂Rh₃B₂ is a diamagnetic metal with a room temperature resistivity of 19 μΩ cm, as determined by magnetic susceptibility and single crystal transport measurements. The measured diamagnetism and electronic structure calculations show that Li₂Rh₃B₂ contains rhodium in a d¹⁰ configuration.     

Sb2O4 at high pressures and high temperatures

Investigations on Sb₂O₄ at high pressure and temperature have been performed up to 600 °C and up to 27.3 GPa. The so-called “high temperature” phase (β-Sb₂O₄) was obtained following pressure increase at ambient temperature and at relatively low temperatures. Thus, in contrast to previous perceptions, β-Sb₂O₄ is the modification more stable at high pressures, i.e., at low temperatures. The fact that the metastable α-form is typically obtained through the conventional way of preparation has to be attributed to kinetic effects. The pressure-induced phase transitions have been monitored by in-situ X-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell, and confirmed ex-situ, by X-ray diffraction at ambient conditions, following temperature decrease and decompression in large volume devices. Bulk modulus values have been derived from the pressure-induced volume changes at room temperature, and are 143 GPa for α-Sb₂O₄ and 105 GPa for the β-Sb₂O₄.     

Effects of γ-irradiation and cooking on vitamins B6 and B12 in grass prawns (Penaeus monodon)

The effects of irradiation doses, irradiation temperature and a combined treatment of irradiation and cooking on the vitamin B₆ and B₁₂ contents of grass prawns have been studied. Grass prawns were irradiated at refrigerated (4°C) or frozen (-20°C) temperatures with different doses. A domestic cooking procedure was followed after irradiation. The changes in vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ of both raw and cooked grass prawns were evaluated. Results showed no significant changes of vitamin B₆ and B₁₂ in grass prawns with a radiation dose up to 7 kGy at either 4°C or -20°C. Irradiation at 4°C caused more destruction of vitamin B₁₂ but not vitamin B₆ than did irradiation at -20°C in grass prawns. There was significant destruction of both vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ in unirradiated samples during cooking. The introduction of the irradiation process before cooking had no effect on either vitamin. These results indicate that the loss of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ in the combined treatments was caused mainly by thermal destruction.     

H2O + Fe(NO3)3 + Ni(NO3)2 ternary system isotherms at 0 °C and 30 °C

H₂O + Ni(NO₃)₂ binary system were investigated in the temperature range from −25 °C to 55 °C. The solid-liquid equilibria of the ternary system H₂O + Fe(NO₃)₃ + Ni(NO₃)₂ were studied using a synthetic method based on conductivity measurements. Tow isotherms were established at 0 °C and 30 °C, and the appearing stable solid phases are iron nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O), iron nitrate hexahydrate (Fe(NO₃)₃·6H₂O), nickel nitrate hexahydrate (Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) and nickel nitrate tetrahydrate (Ni(NO₃)₂·4H₂O).     

[NH3CH2CHCH3NH3]][B8O11(OH)4]·H2O: Synthesis and characterization of the first 1D borate templated by 1,2-diaminopropane

A new hydrated borate compound, [NH₃CH₂CHCH₃NH₃]][B₈O₁₁(OH)₄]·H₂O 1, has been synthesized in the presence of 1,2-diaminopropane acting as a structure-directing agent under mild conditions. Its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and further characterized FTIR, elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c (No. 14), a=10.0787(7) Å, b=8.8482(6) Å, c=19.3097(4) Å, β=91.352(6)°, V=1721.53(2) Å³, and Z=4. The structure consists of infinite open-branched borate chains constructed from [B₃O₆(OH)] units, onto which the [B₅O₇(OH)₃] groups are grafted. It represents the first example of one-dimensional borate templated by an organic amine. The adjacent borate chains are further linked together by extensive hydrogen bonds to form a 3D supramolecular network. The diprotonated organic amines and guest water molecules are filled in the free space of the hydrogen-bonded network and interact with the inorganic framework by extensive hydrogen bonds.     

Evolution of titania nanotubes-supported WOx species by in situ thermo-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy

Structural evolution of WO_x species on the surface of titania nanotubes was followed by in situ thermo-Raman spectroscopy. A total of 15 wt% of W atoms were loaded on the surface of a hydroxylated titania nanotubes by impregnation with ammonium metatungstate solution and then, the sample was thermally treated in a Linkam cell at different temperatures in nitrogen flow. The band characteristic of the WO bond was observed at 962 cm⁻¹ in the dried sample, which vanished between 300 and 700 °C, and reappear again after annealing at 800 °C, along with a broad band centered at 935 cm⁻¹, attributed to the v₁ vibration of WO in tetrahedral coordination. At 900 and 1000 °C, the broad band decomposed into four bands at 923, 934, 940 and 950 cm⁻¹, corresponding to the symmetric and asymmetric vibration of WO bonds in Na₂WO₄ and Na₂W₂O₇ phases as determined by X-ray diffraction and High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The structure of the nanotubular support was kept at temperatures below 450 °C, thereafter, it transformed into anatase being stabilized at temperatures as high as 900 °C. At 1000 °C, anatase phase partially converted into rutile. After annealing at 1000 °C, a core-shell model material was obtained, with a shell of ca. 5 nm thickness, composed of sodium tungstate nanoclusters, and a core composed mainly of rutile TiO₂ phase.     

High-pressure dissociation of silver mercury iodide, Ag2HgI4

High-pressure X-ray diffraction has been used to probe the behavior of the superionic conductor silver mercury iodide (Ag₂HgI₄) at pressures up to 5 GPa and at temperatures from 295 to 370 K. Significant changes in the diffraction spectra, indicative of structural transitions, are observed around 0.7 and 1.3 GPa across the range of temperatures studied. The change at 0.7 GPa is shown to correspond to the dissociation of silver mercury iodide into silver iodide and mercury iodide, i.e., Ag₂HgI₄→2AgI+HgI₂. The second transition, at 1.3 GPa, is due to a structural phase transition within HgI₂. Rietveld analysis of the diffraction data is used to confirm and refine all the known crystal structures.     

High-pressure synthesis and crystal structure of the mixed-valent titanium borate Ti5B12O26

The new titanium borate was synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus at 7.5 GPa and 1350 °C. Ti₅B₁₂O₂₆ is built up exclusively from corner-sharing BO₄-tetrahedra and shows a structural relation to the Zintl phase NaTl. Consisting of B₁₂O₂₆-clusters as fundamental building blocks, the structure of Ti₅B₁₂O₂₆ can be described via two interpenetrating diamond structures as in NaTl, where each atom corresponds to one B₁₂O₂₆-cluster. The tetragonal titanium borate crystallizes with eight formula units in the space group I4₁/acd and exhibits lattice parameters of a=1121.1(2) pm and c=2211.5(4) pm. Ti₅B₁₂O₂₆ is a mixed-valent compound with Ti^III and Ti^IV cations. The environment of the titanium cations, as well as charge distribution calculations, leads us to the assumption that Ti^III and Ti^IV are located on different crystallographic sites.