Single step calciothermic synthesis of nickel boride particles in molten salt

Abstract

Abstract In this study, production of nickel boride (NixB) via calciothermic reduction in molten salt has been studied. Firstly, the electrochemical behaviors of CaO and NiO in CaCl2 melt were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Then, the influences of the process parameters (temperature (1173–1273 K) and time (15–60 min)) on the powders were investigated. Based on the CV results, it was understood that NiO reduction takes place in one step at -0.25 V. Temperature investigations revealed that Ni and Ni2B phases that were present at low temperatures disappeared as the temperature increased. The Ni3B and Ni2B ratios in the particles increased as the duration went on, and almost no Ni left in the particles after 60 min. The magnetic properties of the particles were investigated and, the saturation magnetization, coercive and remanent values were determined as 25.063 emu/g, 32.694 Oe, and 0.903 emu/g, respectively. © 2023, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Australian Ceramic Society.