Gholamreza Khalaj - Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran
Abolhassan Najafi - Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran

In this research, TiB₂ powder was synthesized using the sol-gel process, resulting in nanometer-scale dimensions. Raw materials employed included titanium isopropoxide and trimethyl borate. Various analytical techniques, including DLS, Zetameter, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and DTA/TG, were employed to elucidate the mechanism of product formation in the sol-gel process. FTIR data indicated the presence of B-Ti and carbon-containing bonds within the ۶۰۰-۱۶۵۰ cm-۱ range in the prepared gel powder. DTA analysis revealed that the initial nucleation of TiB₂ particles occurred within the temperature range of ۱۳۰۰ºC. XRD patterns confirmed the formation of the TiB₂ crystalline phase, which further progressed with increasing temperature, reaching up to ۱۴۰۰ºC. Surface analysis of the synthesized particles indicated a specific surface area of approximately ۱۵۳.۴۲ m²/g, with porous and meso-sized surfaces. PSA results showed that the particle size distribution is in the range below ۵۰ nm. SEM and TEM microstructural images provided visual evidence of the synthesis of TiB₂ particles smaller than ۱۰۰ nm, characterized by a narrow and uniform distribution range.

Titanium diboride, Synthesis, Sol-gel, Nanopowder, Mesoporous