Preparation of boron nanoparticles by pulsed discharge of compacted powder

Abstract

In this study, a low-cost and simple method for the preparation of B nanoparticles is described. Based on the pulsed wire discharge method, a large pulsed current was discharged through 10 mg of B micro-sized powder to form B nanoparticles in Ar gas. A small amount of Cu and C impurities was detected due to the material of the electrodes and the heat-shrinkable tube. The prepared B nanoparticles were of a crystalline phase and their sizes were estimated to be less than 100 nm. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first realization of spherical crystalline B nanoparticles.