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Molten salt shielded synthesis of the nanolaminated transition metal boride Fe2AlB2

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Abstract

Fe2AlB2 is one of many ternary transition metal borides called MAB phases, which attracted interest owing to its magnetocaloric effect and magnetic properties. Herein, the molten salt-shielded synthesis (MS3) of Fe2AlB2 powder is studied using potassium bromide “KBr” in an open-air atmosphere. The synthesis process of the MAB phase, from Fe, Al, and B elemental powders, was studied with and without Sn additive in the temperature range of 900–1200 °C. The obtained powders were analyzed using XRD, TDA, GTA, and SEM analysis. The corresponding results revealed a successful synthesis of nearly pure Fe2AlB2 phase at 1000 °C for only one hour of holding time, beyond which FeB impurities form. These results show the efficiency of KBr (with Sn as a synthesis aid “additive”) in increasing the reactivity of this MAB phase in terms of the lowest synthesis temperature and time reported to date.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to gratefully thank the working staff at the Technical Platform of Physico-Chemical Analysis (PTAPC-Laghouat-CRAPC), Laghouat, Algeria, for performing TGA and TDA analysis.

Funding

This work was funded by la Direction Générale de la Recherche Scientifique et du Développement Technologique (DGRSDT), Algeria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials and Environmental Laboratory, Department of Process Engineering and Environment, Faculty of Technology, University of Medea, Medea, Algeria

    Hiba Benamor & Mohamed Krea

  2. Laboratoire d’études et recherche en technologie industrielle, University of Saad Dahlab Blida 1, BP 270 Route de Soumaa, Blida, Algeria

    Abdessabour Benamor, Nabil Chiker, Tahar Sahraoui & Mohamed Hadji

  3. Research Center in Industrial Technologies CRTI, P. O. box 64, Cheraga, Algiers, Algeria

    Abdessabour Benamor, Maamar Hakem & Mohamed Hadji

  4. Laboratoire environnement et développement durable, University of Saad, Dahlab Blida 1, BP 270 Route de Soumaa, Blida, Algeria

    Omar Bouras

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  1. Hiba Benamor
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the present study. Powder preparation and experimental work were performed by H. Benamor. The first draft of the manuscript was written by H. Benamor, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. A. Benamor, N. Chiker, and M. Hakem contributed to XRD data analysis. Pr. M. Krea contributed to the analysis of TGA and TDA analysis. Pr. O. Bouras, Pr. T. Sahraoui, and Pr. M. Hadji contributed to language corrections, study conception, and design. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Abdessabour Benamor.

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Benamor, H., Benamor, A., Chiker, N. et al. Molten salt shielded synthesis of the nanolaminated transition metal boride Fe2AlB2. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 125, 5211–5219 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-023-11086-w

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