Floating zone growth of cerium tetra-boride crystals

Abstract

Single crystals of cerium tetra-boride, CeB₄, were prepared in 0.4 MPa of argon ambient gas by the RF-heated floating zone method. The feed rod was prepared according to the following reaction formula: CeB₆ + 1/2 (CeO₂ + 2C) → 3/2 CeB₄ + CO↑. The growth rate was 0.3 cm/h. The obtained crystal rods were 4 cm long and 1.2 cm in diameter. The lattice constants were a = 0.72052 nm and c = 0.40898 nm of a tetragonal lattice. The micro Vickers hardness, H_v, values on the (100), (110), and (001) planes were 1403, 1440, and 1099, respectively.