Preparation, growth mechanism, and application of Mg2B2O5 whiskers: A review

Magnesium borate (Mg₂B₂O₅) whiskers are highly regarded as a promising inorganic reinforcing material due to their availability, ease of preparation, and remarkable reinforcing effect. The main objective of this article is to examine the properties of Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers and to encourage researchers to utilize them, thereby enhancing the characteristics of various composites in a cost–effective manner. Six production methods of Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers are addressed, and based on these methods, different growth mechanisms of Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers, including liquid–solid, solid–liquid–solid, vapor–solid, and vapor–liquid–solid mechanisms, are analyzed and summarized. As reinforcing materials, Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers are widely employed in alloys and polymers, effectively enhancing the physical and chemical properties of the resulting whisker–reinforced composites, including mechanical, friction and wear resistance, and flame retardancy properties. Furthermore, the impact of surface modification of Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers on the properties of composites was explored. The cost–effectiveness, favorable properties, and wide availability of Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers make them excellent potential materials for numerous applications, and the article provides an analysis and forecasts the future development direction and prospects of Mg₂B₂O₅ whiskers.