Synthesis of some metal borides

In this study, we synthesized LaB4 and LaB6 mixture and GdB6 with direct magnesiothermic reduction at 700?C in open air in good yield. Reaction of magnesium, boron(III) oxide and lanthanum(III) oxide was carried out in a muffle furnace at 700?C. CrB was synthesized via reduction with alkalimetal borohydride in tetrahydrofuran(THF) and methanol(MeOH) solvents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis were used to characterize morphologies and structures of the samples. XRD analysis proved that LaB4 and LaB6 mixture, GdB6 and CrB were synthesized. The formation of two types of nano sized wires for LaB4 and LaB6 mixture and one type for GdB6 was proved by SEM.