Synthesis of Magnesium Nickel Boride Aggregates via Borohydride Autogenous Pressure

Abstract

We demonstrate synthesis of the ternary intermetallic MgNi3B2 using autogenous pressure from the reaction of NaBH4 with Mg and Ni metal powder. The decomposition of NaBH4 to H2 and B2H6 commences at low temperatures in the presence of Mg and/or Ni and promotes formation of Ni-borides and MgNi3B2 with the increase in temperature. MgNi3B2 aggregates with Ni-boride cores are formed when the reaction temperature is >670 °C and autogenous pressure is >1.7 MPa. Morphologies and microstructures suggest that solid–gas and liquid–gas reactions are dominant mechanisms and that Ni-borides form at a lower temperature than MgNi3B2. Magnetic measurements of the core-shell MgNi3B2 aggregates are consistent with ferromagnetic behaviour in contrast to stoichiometric MgNi3B2 which is diamagnetic at room temperature.