Characterization of nanocrystallite boron carbonitride synthesized by combustion and carbothermic reaction

Abstract

This research work aimed to synthesize boron carbonitride powder from cheap precursors using a combustion synthesis, followed by a carbothermic reaction process. A mixture of boric acid, lactose, and urea was subjected to thermolysis under a mild temperature of 250°C, followed by heat treatment at 1200°C for 2 h in an argon atmosphere. The resulting powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and FT-micro-Raman. This method was found to be successful in preparing a boron carbonitride compound having a nanocrystallite size with a layered turbostratic structure. © 2008 The American Ceramic Society.