Abstract
A precursor of boron carbide was prepared by condensation of mannitol as carbon source and boric acid as boron source. Boron carbide powder containing less residual carbon was synthesized from the precursor by 1-step heat treatment at 1300oC for 5h in an Ar flow. Meanwhile, boron carbide powder with less residual carbon was obtained by heat treatment at 1250oC for 5h in an Ar flow from pyrolyzed product prepared at 400oC for 3h in air. Performing the pyrolysis process in air was effective for reducing residual carbon from product powder. Those heat treatment temperatures were relatively lower than reported synthetic processes using a condensed precursor prepared from other carbon sources.
