Preparation of zirconium diboride powders by co-pyrolysis of a zirconium-containing organic precursor and polyborazine using a solution based method

Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) powders were prepared from a mixture of a zirconium-containing organic precursor and polyborazine by a solution based method. The soluble zirconium-containing organic precursor was firstly synthesized by using zirconium tetrachloride and phenol as a zirconium and a carbon source, respectively. The synthetic soluble zirconium-containing organic precursor was directly used both as a zirconium source and also as a carbon source for the preparation of zirconium carbide powders. Following this, a mixture of the zirconium-containing organic precursor and polyborazine in toluene solution was used as a precursor for the preparation of ZrB2. The formation mechanism of various ceramic products derived from relevant organic precursors and the influence of heat treatment temperature on the formation of these ceramic products were discussed. When using the zirconium-containing organic precursor both as a zirconium and carbon source as well as polyborazine as a boron source, hexagonal ZrB2 powders are formed.