The TL494 is a powerful and affordable IC for learning and building PWM-based power electronics. Its two error amplifiers, adjustable dead-time control, and flexible output stage make it suitable for almost any DC-DC conversion or inversion task.
When the MOSFET turns on, current flows through L1 to ground. When it turns off, the magnetic field collapses, forcing current through D1 into the output capacitor at a higher voltage than the input. tl494 circuit diagram