[kimphys1]

I'm running some experiments on forming a transition metal diboride (MB₂) layer on a lanthanum hexaboride base. My education background is in Physics with some basic Chemistry, so I'm in a little over my head here. I'm looking for some help in determining if the reaction will be favorable and at what temperatures. So far I have found that the details will be most likely be determined by the Gibbs Free Energy equation, ΔG=ΔH-TΔS. I found some values for these variables, but also found it a bit confusing. I'm not entirely sure of which transition metal (M) I will be using yet, but have narrowed it down to most likely either Ti or Zr. The reaction that I'm trying to determine the details of is LaB₆+M=LaB₄+MB₂. The general idea is that I will coat the LaB₆ base with a thin layer of the M, and then heat to form a thin MB₂ layer with a then boron depleted layer of LaB₄ underneath. Any help that can be provided will be useful. Thank you!