Barium hexaboride explained

Barium hexaboride is a hard material with a high melting point.^[1] It can be formed by passing a barium vapour at >750 °C over boron crystals:

However, it can also be formed by reacting barium chloride with boron in two stages: firstly at 900 °C for 30 minutes and then at 1,500 °C for 60 minutes.

Potential applications

Barium hexaboride has been considered as a candidate for use in hot-cathode electron guns.

Notes and References

1. Massidda . S. . Monnier . R. . Stoll . E. . October 2000 . Electronic structure of barium hexaboride . The European Physical Journal B . en . 17 . 4 . 645–649 . 10.1007/s100510070103 . 2000EPJB...17..645M . 1434-6028.