Accordion-shaped 10B nanostructures by sonication-assisted direct oxidation pathway for neutron sensors

Abstract

A simple original route is used to produce boron nanomaterials at room temperature, which is attractive compared to already known methods. Accordion shaped amorphous boron nanomaterials are elaborated. Very unusual morphologies are obtained from an original approach based on the direct oxidation of a solid state Li_xB alloy used as a boron precursor. The amorphous and nanosized materials produced in this controlled reaction of hydrolysis are characterized using electron microscopy, gas sorption methods, light scattering diffusion, X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopies. Regular and residue free thin deposits on metal plates, tested as neutron detectors, display good efficiency in neutron detection.