Effect of different boron sources on the copper borates in solid-state synthesis

Abstract

The copper borate of CuB₂O₄ in tetragonal form was successfully synthesized as a single-phase by using a solid-state method without using any modifying agent. For the designed experimental procedure, the optimized reaction conditions were estimated as a reaction temperature of 950 °C, reaction time of 240 min, argon atmosphere and Cu:B ratio of 1:5. The possible reaction mechanism estimated for both boron sources of boric acid and boron oxide. In both sets, the lower ratios of Cu:B supported CuB₂O₄ formation. In the use of boric acid as a boron source, higher reaction yield percentages (98 %) and lower particle sizes were determined. The micron-scale rounded particles were observed in morphological analyses and the particles were shaped in homogeneity in the use of boron oxide as a boron source. The specific FT-IR peaks were observed at the band values of 1190, 1035, 988, 945, 890, 695, 631, 540 and 479 cm⁻¹. The experimental results highlighted the probable use of solid-state in the copper borate synthesis.