Production of nanocrystalline TiB 2 powder through self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) of TiO 2 –H 3 BO 3 –Mg mixture

Nanocrystalline TiB₂ powders are produced through self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) technique by igniting the stoichiometric mixture of titanium oxide (TiO₂), boric acid (H₃BO₃) and magnesium (Mg) powder. Different percentages of NaCl are added to the mixture as SHS diluent in order to control the particle size of the TiB₂. The synthesised and purified powder is characterised by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopes respectively. The SEM images show the presence of agglomeration of fine spherical particles. The TEM images reveal the formation of nanocrystalline TiB₂ particles. The particle size is found to decrease with the addition of NaCl. The TEM images reveal the presence of crystallographic defects in the powder. In order to find out the reaction mechanism of TiO₂–H₃BO₃–Mg system, the synthesis of TiO₂–Mg and H₃BO₃–Mg mixtures is performed in inert atmosphere and phase analysis of TiO₂–Mg and H₃BO₃–Mg mixtures reveal the reaction mechanism.