Synthesis of boron carbide microcrystals from saccharides and boric acid

With the precursors prepared from saccharides, such as glucose and cellulose, and boric acid, microcrystals of boron carbides were synthesized at relatively low temperatures of 1500-1600°C by 1 h treatment in an argon atmosphere. Hydrothermal treatment at the stage of precursor preparation was found to be effective to form the precursors which readily decompose to boron carbides in the shape of micrometer-sized crystals. Although a small amount of free carbon is contained in the products and substituted-type boron carbides may be included, this process is interesting: precursor preparation is very simple and the raw materials are inexpensive, above all the process is not hazardous