Synthesis of substitutional hexaboride of lanthanum and cerium La_(1-x)Ce_(x)B_(6) via aluminothermic reduction

摘要

Rare-earth hexaborides(REB_(6))are vital raw materials for cathode materials and high temperature structural ceramics that are widely applied as high-frequency electron tubes and ceramics adaptive for extreme environment,respectively.In this work,single phase substitutional solid solution REB_(6)(LaB_(6),La_(0.75)Ce_(0.25)B_(6).La_(0.5)Ce_(0.5)B_(6),La_(0.25)Ce_(0.75)B_(6) and CeB_(6))powders were prepared with the raw materials of La_(2)O_(3),CeO_(2),B_(4)C and Al powders,after calcining at 1773 K for 4 h and the following alkaline leaching.All substitutional solid solution products have homogeneous distributions of La and Ce in particles.Through microscopic morphology analysis,it is discovered that the formation of solid solution is beneficial for reducing the particle size of product,relative to LaB_(6) and CeB_(6).Moreover,Al flux plays an important role in decarbonizing reaction,and C contents of all products are below 0.4 wt%.