Boron Oxide
Boron Oxide
BORON OXIDE
Boron oxide (B2O3) is also known as Boron trioxide. It is made by dehydration of boric acid. It has no regular structure, though it can be crystallized with much difficulty. To formulate the most important chemical reactions between Boron oxide and other compounds several attempts are made to get the resultants. It is the component of the glasses. The determination of Boron by X-ray spectrometry is difficult.
USES AND APPLICATIONS FOR Boron oxide
- It is used in herbicides.
- It serves as a fire-resistant additive for paints and is used in electronics.
- It is used in metallurgy.
- It is utilized in the analysis of silicates to determine silicon dioxide.
- It works as a flux for enamels and glazes.
- It serves as a catalyst to increase the rate of some reactions.
- It is used in some agricultural chemicals.
Preparation
Boron oxide is prepared by treating the borax with sulphuric acid in a furnace. It can also be produced by heating boric acid at a high temperature that may be above 300°C. Initially boric acid will decompose into metaboric acid and steam at almost 170°C and then after at 300°C more steam and Boron oxide is produced.
Chemical Properties
- It reacts with water, to form boric acid.
- It is thermally stable.
- Its refractive index is about 1.61 at low temperature.
- It can react with reducing agents in Redox reactions.
- It is very corrosive to metals, in the presence of oxygen.
- It is acidic in nature.