Synthesis and characterization of a remarkable ternary boride: Mo2NiB2

In this communication, we report the synthesis of predominantly single phase Mo2NiB2 by pressureless reactive sintering. XRD analysis showed the samples were ≥95% pure. Both computational and experimental results showed the structure and space group to be orthorhombic and 71: Immm, respectively. Computational results showed Mo2NiB2 has superior mechanical properties as compared to ternary borides like MoAlB, WAlB and Cr2AlB2. As a representative example, the bulk modulus of Mo2NiB2 is 299.5 GPa, outperforming the range of 209.2–228.2 GPa observed in MAB phases. With experimental hardness of 12.0 ± 1.48 GPa and compressive strength of 2469.5 ± 84.6 MPa, Mo2NiB2 outperformed ternary borides like MoAlB, Fe2AlB2 and Mn2AlB2. Magnetic measurements by vibrating sample magnetometer showed Mo2NiB2 to be diamagnetic with minor ferromagnetism which was attributed to residual Ni in the samples.