Karl Franzens University Graz | Graz University of Technology | |
Boron atom clusters and boride nanoparticles Borides are hard and refractory materials and often synthesized by high-temperature methods. Bottom-up preparation and working under non-conventional conditions can yield boron-containing compounds (and also nitrides or oxides) that are rare and interesting concerning their behavior, both chemical (catalytic) and physical (magnetic, thermoelectric, luminescent). Furthermore, there are representatives with certain functionalities (e.g. hardness) relevant for materials science. A selection of different compounds like MnB4, EuB6, Ni7B3, Fe3N, or Ce2O3 – obviously not only from boron chemistry - will be presented. These solids were nano- and microstructured via new synthesis methods, and then characterized concerning a variety of properties. |