Borane-Tetrahydrofurane Complex Reduction of Nickel and First Transition Metals in Tetrahydrofurane Media: Controllable Chemistry Leading to Nanoscale Metal and Metal Boride Particles

Abstract

Nickel borides doped with transition metal (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) MNiB, 4% w/w respect to Ni were prepared by chemical reduction of nickel and metallic salts in methanol solution with borane-tetrahydrofurane (BH3-THF) complex obtained in aprotic solvent (THF anhydrous). Different techniques were used to characterize these materials. The MNiB amorphous structure was verified by XRD. Thermal treatment in N2 shows Ni˚, Ni2 Band NiO phases. Spongy-morphology was evident by SEM studies in all cases. XPS and TEM show that doped and non-doped nickel boride was present as Ni˚ in metallic state as principal phase and nickel alloying with boron was observed in minor quantities. The oxidation stability, magnetic susceptibility and catalytic effect are correlated with parameters of each dopant metal.