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A solution and solid state study of niobium complexes University of ...

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2.4.3 Borides<br />

Chapter 2<br />

A few <strong>niobium</strong> boride 20 <strong>complexes</strong> like NbB, NbB2 Nb2B, Nb3B <strong>and</strong> Nb3B4 have been<br />

described in literature. The monoboride <strong>and</strong> the diboride <strong>complexes</strong> are the only<br />

borides that melt completely. NbB2 decomposes at the melting point to form NbB <strong>and</strong><br />

boron. 21 The most familiar methods <strong>of</strong> preparation <strong>of</strong> <strong>niobium</strong> borides is sintering,<br />

hot-pressing <strong>and</strong> remelting <strong>of</strong> powdered mixtures <strong>of</strong> <strong>niobium</strong> or <strong>niobium</strong> hydride with<br />

elemental boron. 22<br />

2.4.4 Carbides<br />

Two phases <strong>of</strong> <strong>niobium</strong> carbide are known, Nb2C <strong>and</strong> the monocarbide NbC. The<br />

monocarbide is the only phase <strong>of</strong> industrial importance. It melts at 3600 °C without<br />

decomposition. It is found primarily in combination with TaC in 10, 20 or 50 wt %<br />

NbC, <strong>and</strong> is used to improve the properties <strong>of</strong> cemented carbides. 23 Industrial<br />

preparation utilizes carbon (CH4) <strong>and</strong> Nb2O5 as starting materials. The initial reaction<br />

begins at 675 °C but temperatures <strong>of</strong> 1800 – 2000 °C are needed for completion <strong>of</strong><br />

the reaction. 7<br />

2.4.5 Nitrides<br />

Nitrogen has a high bond energy (941 kJ/mol) <strong>and</strong> requires high temperatures for<br />

activation. 24 At these elevated temperatures the Nb-N bonds in ionic/covalent nitrides<br />

become less stable <strong>and</strong> entropic effects favour lower nitrogen-metal ratios. The<br />

synthesis usually involves the reaction <strong>of</strong> <strong>niobium</strong> pentachloride with a<br />

hydrogen/nitrogen mixture. The main product formed is the mononitride, but other<br />

stoichiometries such as Nb4N3 <strong>and</strong> Nb2N can also be formed, depending on the<br />

deposition conditions employed. 25<br />

20<br />

C. L. Yeh, W. H. Chen, J. Alloys Compd., 420, 111, 2006.<br />

21<br />

F. Fairbrother, The Chemistry <strong>of</strong> Niobium <strong>and</strong> Tantalum, Elsevier, New York, 34, 1976.<br />

22<br />

P. M. McKenna, Ind. Eng. Chem., 28, 767, 1936.<br />

23<br />

H. O. Pierson, H<strong>and</strong>book <strong>of</strong> Chemical Vapor Deposition, Elsevier, New York, 241, 1999.<br />

24<br />

S. T. Oyama, The Chemistry <strong>of</strong> Transition Metal Carbides <strong>and</strong> Nitrides, Blackie Academic <strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>fesional,<br />

Glasgow, 154, 1996.<br />

25<br />

R. Fix, R. G. Gordon, D. M. H<strong>of</strong>fman, Chem. Mater., 5, 614, 1993.<br />

15

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