Synthesis and Scale-Up of Metal Diboride Precursors for Chemical Vapor Infiltration

Metal diborides, such as hafnium diboride (HfB2) and zirconium diboride (ZrB2), possess outstanding properties crucial for extreme temperature applications. With high melting temperature and hardness, these materials are important for protective coatings, especially in demanding aerospace environments. The Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI) process emerges as a promising technique to harness the benefits of metal diborides. However, a significant challenge lies in obtaining suitable single-source metal diboride molecular precursors for the CVI process. In this STTR Phase I project, we collaborate with Prof. Gregory Girolami's group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, expert in metal boride synthetic chemistry to address these CVI challenges. The project involves exploring synthetic routes, modifying and scaling up precursor production, and ensuring repeatability. Comprehensive efforts include precursor characterization, synthesis repeatability assessments, scalability analysis, and exploring potential applications beyond military contexts. Our team's collective experience positions us to tackle Phase I challenges effectively, setting the stage for successful progression into subsequent project phases.