Issue 28, 2017

Growth mechanisms of alpha-boron and beta-boron in a copper melt at ambient pressure and its stabilities

Abstract

Relying on copper melt as a solvent, we successfully synthesize alpha-boron (α-B) and beta-boron (β-B) at ambient pressure. Distinct obtained allotropes ascribe to different fabrication processes and growth mechanisms. Coralloid eutectic boron exposes the messages of α-B, and primary boron has the typical traits of β-B. Considering experimental conditions and morphologies, constituent supercooling with appropriate temperature gradients is chiefly responsible for the growth of α-B. Moreover, a proper eutectic temperature and restricted growth space are provided by copper melt for α-B. For the formation of β-B, cyclic-twinning, screw dislocation-driven and the twin plane re-entrant edge (TPRE) growth mechanisms work together. Boron's growth models were put forward for vivid elucidation of these mechanisms. Thereafter, the stabilities of α-B and β-B were compared based on their forming conditions and sizes. Synthesis of α-B and β-B in copper melt at ambient pressure are of great significance for their practical applications in future.

Graphical abstract: Growth mechanisms of alpha-boron and beta-boron in a copper melt at ambient pressure and its stabilities

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 May 2017
Accepted
13 Jun 2017
First published
13 Jun 2017

CrystEngComm, 2017,19, 3947-3954

Growth mechanisms of alpha-boron and beta-boron in a copper melt at ambient pressure and its stabilities

Z. Sun, Y. Wu, X. Han, G. Zhang and X. Liu, CrystEngComm, 2017, 19, 3947 DOI: 10.1039/C7CE00902J

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