Preparation of boron nanoparticles by pulsed discharge of compacted powder

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 59; no. SC; p. SCCC05
• Main Authors: Hieu, Nguyen Duy, Chu, Ngo Minh, Tokoi, Yoshinori, Do, Thi-Mai-Dung, Nakayama, Tadachika, Suematsu, Hisayuki, Niihara, Koichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo IOP Publishing 01-02-2020; Japanese Journal of Applied Physics
• Subjects: Boron; Crystal structure; Crystallinity; Discharge; Nanoparticles; Pulsed current
• ISSN: 0021-4922; 1347-4065
• DOI: 10.7567/1347-4065/ab5911

In this study, a low-cost and simple method for the preparation of B nanoparticles is described. Based on the pulsed wire discharge method, a large pulsed current was discharged through 10 mg of B micro-sized powder to form B nanoparticles in Ar gas. A small amount of Cu and C impurities was detected due to the material of the electrodes and the heat-shrinkable tube. The prepared B nanoparticles were of a crystalline phase and their sizes were estimated to be less than 100 nm. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first realization of spherical crystalline B nanoparticles.