Zirconium tetrakis(tetrahydroborate), Zr(BH4)4 has been used as a convenient precursor for the deposition of zirconium diboride ZrB2. [[i], [ii],[iii]]
The principal byproducts of zirconium tetrahydroborates decompositon are hydrogen and diborane. Zr(BH4)4→ZrB2 + B2H6 + 5H2[[iv]]
Mirrorbright, adhesive thin films up to2 pm thick were grown on a variety of substrates including glass, steel, aluminum, copper, silicon, and graphite. Despite the amorphous nature of the films, their electrical resistivities are essentially identical with those of the bulk polycrystalline material. Metal diborides prepared by CVD are used as coatings because of their hardness, high melting point, strength, resistance to wear and corrosion, and good electrical conductivity.[673]
[i] J.A.Jensen, J.E Gozum. D.M. Pollina, G.S. Girolami, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110, 1643–1644
[ii] Sung, J. W.; Goedde, D. M.; Girolami, G. S.; Abelson, J. R. J. Appl.Phys. 2002, 91, 3904-3911
[iii] J.W. Sung, D.M. Goedde; G.S. Girolami, J.R. Abelson, Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc, 1999, vol.563, p.39-44
[iv] James, B.D.; Smith, B.E. Synth. React. Inorg. Metal-Org. Chem. 1974, 4, 461–465