| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1330069 | Journal of Solid State Chemistry | 2013 | 6 Pages |
The reactions occurred and growth process in the preparation of copper aluminum borate (Cu2Al6B4O17) whiskers based on flux method (Al2(SO4)3/CuSO4/H3BO3 as raw materials, K2SO4 as flux) were investigated. The thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis (TG-DSC), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrum analysis (ICP-AES) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) results of reactants mixture quenched at various temperatures and phase diagrams of K2SO4–Al2(SO4)3 system and B2O3–Al2O3 system showed that the reaction process proceeds through three steps: the formation and decomposition of two different kinds of potassium aluminum sulfate (K3Al(SO4)3 and KAl(SO4)2); the formation of aluminum borate (Al4B2O9) and decomposition of copper sulfate (CuSO4) and boric acid (H3BO3); growth and formation of copper aluminum borate (Cu2Al6B4O17) whiskers. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis results indicated that morphology in growth of Cu2Al6B4O17 whiskers develops through three stages: nanoparticles, fan-shaped whiskers and agminate-needlelike whiskers.
Graphical abstractThe morphology in growth of Cu2Al6B4O17 whiskers develops through three stages: nanoparticles, fan-shaped whiskers and agminate-needlelike whiskers.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Reaction process in the preparation of Cu2Al6B4O17 whiskers was researched systematically. ► Crystal growth mechanism of Cu2Al6B4O17 whiskers was proposed by theory and experiments. ► Properties of Cu2Al6B4O17 were analyzed by instruments, such as TG-DSC, ICP-AES, XRD and SEM.
