SYNTHESIS OF CERIUM AND GADOLINIUM BORIDES USING BORON CAGE COMPOUNDS AS A BORON SOURCE.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0025-5408(87)90136-X

Cerium borides (CeB//4 and CeB//6) and gadolinium borides (GdB//4 and GdB//6) were synthesized using boron cage compounds M//2(B//1//0H//1//0)//3 (M equals Ce and Gd) as a boron source. A mixture of hexaboride (CeB//6 or GdB//6) and amorphous boron was formed by thermal decomposition above 1000 degree C or 1200 degree C, respectively. These borides contained a small amount of inclusions (oxides, borates, etc. ) which can be removed by acid treatment in HCl solution with the formation of single phases.