Preparation of alumina/titanium diboride nano-composite powder by milling assisted sol–gel method

Alumina-titanium diboride nano-composite powder was prepared from TTIP and boron oxide using a sol–gel method followed by mechano-chemical reduction in the presence of Al. Optimum weight ratio of B2O3:TTIP in solution was 1:3. The XRD results reveal that mechano-chemical reduction of the gel resulted in the formation of TiB2 and Al2O3 after 30 h milling. Also, FTIR spectroscopy of 30 h milled product seams to confirm the formation of TiB2 and Al2O3 phases in the final product. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the product has a wide range of particle size between 100 nm–2 μm. Transmission electron microscopy study of the product revealed a microstructure in which TiB2 particles dispersed in Al2O3 matrix with a crystallite size of 10–30 nm. The homogeneity of the composite powder and low temperature of the process distinguished the present study from the previous researches.

► TiB2–Al2O3 nano-composite powder was produced by milling assisted sol–gel method.
► This combination of methods has been used for the first time for this nano-composite.
► Particles of Al2O3–TiB2 composite indicated to have a crystallite size of 10–30 nm.
► TEM image shows a microstructure in which TiB2 particles embedded in Al2O3 matrix.