Liquid-Phase Synthesis, Sintering, and Transport Properties of Nanoparticle-Based Boron-Rich Composites

Nanostructuring boron-rich materials should significantly impact their thermal and electrical transport properties. Nonetheless, nanostructured monoliths of such could not be achieved in the 10 nm range so far, because large temperatures required to synthesize produce compounds. Such a nanostructuration may have important consequences for achieving trade-off between enhanced low conductivity materials, which are among few enabling thermoelectric power generation above 1000 K thanks stability, high positive Seebeck coefficients, conductivity. In this study, we use one-pot synthesis inorganic molten salts yield nanocomposite consisting metallic HfB2 nanocrystals dispersed an insulating amorphous matrix with controlled volume fraction from 16 56 vol %. We show that liquid-phase can coupled spark plasma sintering densification preserving nanostructure. The relationships reagent ratio synthesis, conditions, properties densified nanocomposites then highlighted. design exhibiting related nanocrystals, together dissipation attributed boron matrix. Combined versatility offered by in-solution routes toward boride-based nanocomposites, work opens new avenue tuning nanomaterials.