Comment on "Synthesis of ultra-incompressible superhard rhenium diboride at ambient pressure"

Science. 2007 Dec 7;318(5856):1550; author reply 1550. doi: 10.1126/science.1147650.

Abstract

Chung et al. (Reports, 20 April 2007, p. 436) reported the synthesis of superhard rhenium diboride (ReB2) at ambient pressure. We show that ReB2, first synthesized at ambient pressure 45 years ago, is not a superhard material. Together with the high cost of Re, this makes the prospect for large-scale industrial applications of ReB2 doubtful.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Boron Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Boron Compounds / chemistry*
  • Compressive Strength
  • Hardness
  • Pressure
  • Rhenium / chemistry*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Boron Compounds
  • rhenium diboride
  • Rhenium