Effect of Capping Agents on the Nanoscale Metal Borate Synthesis

Abstract

Boron compounds are beneficial additives for industrial applications due to their superior physical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal features. The common use of boron compounds can be listed as ceramic, glass, glazes, metallurgy, lubricating agents, non-linear optical devices, and nuclear processes. Metal borates can be classified in accordance with the metal atom in the structure. According to the metal borate type, each compound exhibits different properties and is preferred for various applications. The other significant factor of a material that makes it preferable for the industry is its morphological characteristics. With the developing technology and novel synthesis procedures, metal borates can be fabricated at different morphologies. The characteristics of the metal borates can be improved by the modification of their surfaces. Capping agents are additive materials that are used to control particle growth and/or modify the morphological features of compounds. There is a recent increase in the number of studies based on metal borates prepared by using capping agents. In this chapter, the theoretical background on metal borates, synthesis procedures of metal borates, classification of the capping agent, the effect of capping agent on particle growth and examples of capping agent use on metal borates preparation were explained. Also, the characteristics of the same metal borates at different morphological features were compared.