Vaporization thermodynamics of MgB2 and MgB4

Abstract

The vaporization behavior of MgB2 and MgB4 under thermodynamic conditions has been studied by the Knudsen effusion-mass spectrometry technique. In the temperature range explored (883–1154 K), magnesium borides are observed to decompose by loss of gaseous Mg only. The equilibrium pressures of Mg(g) have been measured during high-temperature decompositions involving MgB2/MgB4 and MgB4/MgB7 two-phase mixtures and the corresponding standard reaction enthalpies were determined. The decomposition temperatures for MgB2 and MgB4 were also inferred by the relevant Van’t Hoff plots.