ZrB2 grains synthesized on graphite by chemical vapor deposition

•ZrB2 grains were prepared by CVD using ZrCl4, BCl3, H2 and Ar at 1150 °C.•ZrB2 grains grown directly on graphite without intermediate phase.•Granulated ZrB2 grains were composed by different crystal orientation sub-grains.•The rod-like ZrB2 grains were composed of internal part and annular part.•The rod-like ZrB2 grains have stacking faults with different orientation.

ZrB2 grains were prepared on graphite by chemical vapor deposition using a gas mixture of ZrCl4, BCl3, H2 and Ar at 1150 °C. The microstructure and phase composition of the coating were investigated by SEM, XRD, XPS and TEM. The results indicated that ZrB2 grains were deposited and grown directly by a vapor-solid growth mechanism on graphite without intermediate phase. Granulated ZrB2 grains were composed by many sub-grains with different crystal orientation. The rod-like or pagoda-like ZrB2 grains with lamellar structures were grew on the granulated ZrB2 particles and composed of two parts: the internal part with axial stacking faults and annular part with radial stacking faults.

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