Preparation and some properties of ScB2 single crystals

ScB2 single crystals were grown by inductive floating zone melting. The ScB2 structure was refined on single crystal and powder data, the latter obtained from parts of single crystals which were prepared by controlled crushing. The ScB2 structure corresponds to the AlB2 structure type, sp. gr. P6/mmm, No. 191 (R 1=0.0191, wR 2=0.0474), lattice parameters are equal to a=0.314820(3) nm, c=0.351483(5) nm, c/a=1.117, X-ray density is 3.670 g/cm3. The measured hydrostatic density is 3.666 g/cm3 which correspond to the Sc0.99B2 composition. The ScB2 Young modulus value is equal to 480 GPa and the Debye characteristic temperature is 1020 K. - Graphical abstract: The ScB2 crystal structure