Sciencemadness Discussion Board
Not logged in [Login ]
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: What is the white impurity in my boron?
fusso
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1922
Registered: 23-6-2017
Location: 4 ∥ universes ahead of you
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 19-6-2019 at 21:55
What is the white impurity in my boron?


I was trying to purify boron powder and some white impurities formed during the heating step, but it wouldn't dissolve in water or anything I used to purify the B. I noticed the impurity contaminated B turned black if heated, then return to white after cooling. What is it?
Reagents used to purify the boron from filter paper: Schweizer's reagent (Cu nitrate+NaOH+NH3), H2SO4, tap water(soft), distilled water, piranha soln, gentle heat from blowtorch (to dry the powder), acetone




View user's profile View All Posts By User
j_sum1
Administrator
********




Posts: 6320
Registered: 4-10-2014
Location: At home
Member Is Offline

Mood: Most of the ducks are in a row

[*] posted on 19-6-2019 at 23:07


What is the source of your boron? Is this stuff collected from NdBFe magnets? What method did you use to isolate the boron?
Specifics are needed to respond meaningfully to this question.





View user's profile View All Posts By User
elementcollector1
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 2684
Registered: 28-12-2011
Location: The Known Universe
Member Is Offline

Mood: Molten

[*] posted on 19-6-2019 at 23:09


If it's boron from Nd magnets, the white stuff is a mix of RE and Fe compounds (in my case, it was sulfates, but I can't assume the same in your case).

Come to think of it, I never actually did find out where the boron went in my experiments... has anyone ever successfully proven that they recovered the boron from a Nd magnet?




Elements Collected:52/87
Latest Acquired: Cl
Next in Line: Nd
View user's profile View All Posts By User
fusso
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1922
Registered: 23-6-2017
Location: 4 ∥ universes ahead of you
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 19-6-2019 at 23:44


Yes, from Nd magnets, but RE sulphates aren't that insoluble isn't it?



View user's profile View All Posts By User
fusso
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1922
Registered: 23-6-2017
Location: 4 ∥ universes ahead of you
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 23-6-2019 at 05:13


But the white stuff turned black when heated and return to white after cooling…
Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1  
has anyone ever successfully proven that they recovered the boron from a Nd magnet?
Me?



View user's profile View All Posts By User

  Go To Top