Growth process of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers

The reactions occurred and growth process in the preparation of copper aluminum borate (Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17}) whiskers based on flux method (Al{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3}/CuSO{sub 4}/H{sub 3}BO{sub 3} as raw materials, K{sub 2}SO{sub 4} as flux) were investigated. The thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis (TG-DSC), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrum analysis (ICP-AES) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) results of reactants mixture quenched at various temperatures and phase diagrams of K{sub 2}SO{sub 4}-Al{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} system and B{sub 2}O{sub 3}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} system showed that the reaction process proceeds through three steps: the formation and decomposition of two different kinds of potassium aluminum sulfate (K{sub 3}Al(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} and KAl(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}); the formation of aluminum borate (Al{sub 4}B{sub 2}O{sub 9}) and decomposition of copper sulfate (CuSO{sub 4}) and boric acid (H{sub 3}BO{sub 3}); growth and formation of copper aluminum borate (Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17}) whiskers. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis results indicated that morphology in growth of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers develops through three stages: nanoparticles, fan-shaped whiskers and agminate-needlelike whiskers. - Graphical abstract: The morphology in growth of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers develops through three stages: nanoparticles, fan-shapedmore » whiskers and agminate-needlelike whiskers. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Reaction process in the preparation of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers was researched systematically. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystal growth mechanism of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers was proposed by theory and experiments. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Properties of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} were analyzed by instruments, such as TG-DSC, ICP-AES, XRD and SEM.« less