Rapid synthesis of transition-metal borides by solid-state metathesis

A rapid self-sustaining solid-state precursor route to transition-metal borides, boride solid solutions, and boride composites has been developed. Solid-state metathesis (SSM) reactions between transition-metal chlorides and magnesium boride (MgB₂) produce crystalline borides and magnesium chloride. Boride solid solutions are formed using mixed chloride precursors. By using a third precursor, such as NaN₃, boride-nitride composites are synthesized. The reaction products are characterized by powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectroscopy. These boride reactions become self-propagating when the adiabatic temperature is greater than the melting point of the by-product salt, MgCl₂(mp 987 K).