Boron's high energy density makes it a prime candidate as a next generation energy source. When burned, it generates an amount of energy four times that produced per unit volume of gasoline. Boron's refractory nature proves to be a hindrance in efficiently harvesting this energy. A layer of inert boron oxide forms on its surface once exposed to air. We present a simple method of producing functionalized boron nanoparticles. Boron particles were produced and coated with an organic ligand in a one-pot synthesis process.  Ball milling of amorphous boron powder with oleic acid and liquid hexane using tungsten carbide balls and jar yields soluble, unoxidized boron nanoparticles that are within 20 � 100 nm range. SEM and DLS methods were used to determine the size distribution of the particles. Oxidation states of the functionalized boron were studied by XPS.

Synthesis of air-stable, unoxidized, boron nanoparticles using ball milling technique

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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