Sodium Borates Research Articles

Redox Equilibria in Slags

On the basis of the recent activity data of sodium phosphates, borates and silicates, the redox equilibrium data in the literature were examined. In an equilibrium2M2+ + 1/2O2 = 2M3+ + O2−the Henrian approximation was applied to M2+ and M3+ and the concentration ratio was used in place of the activity ratio. The activity of O 2− was assumed to be replaced by the activity of Na2O which was related to the basicity by the definitionpO = −log a Na2O/aoNa2O where aoNa2O is the activity of Na2O in the Na2O 2SiO2 melt. In a more general equilibrium involving complex ions4MO m (x − 2m)+ + {4(n − m) − 2(y − x)}O= + (y − x)O2 = 4MO n (y − 2n)+the equilibrium constant can be given bylog K = 4 log [My+]/[Mx+] − (y − x log P O2 + {4(n − m) − 2(y − x)}pO.The results suggest that the equilibria do not depend on the acid component specifically but on a common measure of the basicity, pO. The derived value of (n − m) does not lead to complex ion formation of definite formulae. Résumé En se fondant sur les valeurs récentes de l'activité des phosphates, borates et silicates de sodium, les données de la littérature sur les équilibres rédox ont été examinées. Pour un équilibre2M2+ + 1/2O2 = 2M3+ + O2−l'approximation de Henry a été appliquée à M2+ et M3+ et le rapport des concentrations a été utilisé à la place du rapport des activités. Nous avons supposé que l'activité de O2− pouvait être remplacée par l'activité de Na2O qui était reliée à la basicité par la définitionpO = −log a Na2O/aoNa2O oû aoNa2O est l'activité de Na2O dans le mélange fondu Na2O.2SiO2. Pour un équilibre plus général impliquant des ions complexes4MO m (x − 2m)+ + {4(n − m) − 2(y − x)}O= + (y − x)O2 = 4MO n (y − 2n)+la constante d'équilibre peut être donnée parlog K = 4 log [My+]/[Mx+] − (y − x log P O2 + {4(n − m) − 2(y − x)}pO.Les résultats suggèrent que les équilibres ne dépendent pas spécifiquement du composant acide mais communément de la mesure de la basicité, pO. Les valeurs deduites pour (n − m) ne conduisent pas à la formation d'ions complexes ayant des formules definies.

Manganous-Manganic Equilibrium in Alkali Borate Glasses

The manganous-manganic equilibrium was studied in potassium, sodium, and lithium borate glasses. The glasses were analyzed chemically for total and trivalent manganese. The manganese equilibrium shifts more toward the oxidized state when the alkali concentration in the glass is increased and/or when the molar equivalent of lithia is replaced by soda and soda is replaced by potash. A linear relation between log (Mn3+/Mn2+) and mole percent alkali oxide was observed. Straight lines were obtained for lithium, sodium, and potassium borates. The disadvantages of using a concentration equilibrium constant where the glass composition is varied are discussed.

Effects of soil and foliar applications of sodium borate to sugar beet

AbstractThe effects were examined of liquid and solid applications of sodium borates, used at the rate of 20 lb. borax equivalent/acre, to sugar beet at seeding, mid‐June and late August. The trials were conducted at twelve sites on light‐land farms in East Anglia, selected as far as possible as having a previous history of boron deficiency.Treatments were effective in controlling, but not always entirely eliminating, boron‐deficiency symptoms, and had no detrimental influence on germination, population or growth. Nevertheless yields of roots and sugar, and sugar content, were increased significantly only at severely deficient sites; juice purity was not improved nor was noxious nitrogen reduced even at such sites; and these trials lend no support to theories that boron addition has some specific value in increasing sugar content, even where soils have a normal supply of the element. Leaf weight was increased more consistently, even where boron had no effect on root yield and there were no noticeable deficiency symptoms. Climatic and soil influences were very marked, serious deficiency being more prevalent in drier years and on lighter soils, where temporary attacks in intermittent dry periods were also liable to occur. No consistent differences could be observed between liquid or solid applications whether to the seed bed or to the growing crop, but August treatment in neither case gave good results.Boron analyses were made on soils and leaves. Results suggest that soil analysis (either for total or available boron) is an unreliable means of diagnosing boron requirement, that roots neither reflect boron contents of soils or plants, nor the results of boron addition. The analysis of blades of older leaves in June when it is not too late to take the necessary corrective action, is the best procedure for sugar beet. The available boron content of soils and the total boron content of plants were highest in late summer, and even where boron had been added in August, residual effects were small and well below the safety margin for crops less tolerant than beet. In view of climatic hazards, the uncertainty of soil analysis as a means of diagnosis, the low residual effects of boron addition, and the damaging losses from serious deficiency, a routine application of borate to all sugar beet crops grown on lighter soils seems a wise precaution. These trials indicate that for this purpose a foliar spray applied in June, or after singling, is just as effective as a fertiliser applied to the seed bed.

New... an amorphous white solid, looking like lots of other sodium borates, but having this unique feature... high solubility in nonpolar organic solvents

new... an amorphous white solid, looking like lots of other sodium borates, but having this unique feature... high solubility in nonpolar organic solvents

Color and Light Scattering of Platinum in Some Lead Glasses

The coloration and light scattering of sodium lead silicate, borate, and phosphate glasses containing platinum, introduced as PtCl4, have been studied. Under the normal atmosphere of a furnace heated by silicon carbide elements, the platinum is retained in the colloidal state in the sodium lead silicates and borates, producing gray glasses. In the phosphate glasses yellow to orange ionic colors as well as grays are produced. Lead oxide increases the stability of platinum ions in the phosphate glasses. Under strong oxidizing conditions, ionic platinum also can be obtained in the borate and silicate glasses. Tyndall scattering can be detected in what appear to be clear, colorless glasses. This light scattering has been observed in some glasses containing as little as 1 p.p.m. platinum.

Natural sodium compounds and borates in 1921

The prevailing theory for the formation of trona [Na3(CO3)(HCO3) · 2(H2O)] relies on evaporative concentration of Na+–HCO3- water produced by silicate hydrolysis of volcanic rock or volcaniclastic sediments. Given the abundance of closed drainage basins dominated by volcanics, it is puzzling that there are so few trona deposits and present-day lakes that would yield dominantly Na–CO3 minerals upon evaporation. Groundwater in the San Bernardino Basin (southeastern Arizona, USA and northeastern Sonora, Mexico) would yield mainly Na–CO3 minerals upon evaporation, but waters in the surrounding basins would not. Analysis of the chemical evolution of this groundwater shows that the critical difference from the surrounding basins is not lithology, but the injection of magmatic CO2. Many major deposits of trona and Na–CO3-type lakes appear to have had “excess” CO2 input, either from magmatic sources or from the decay of organic matter. It is proposed that, along with the presence of volcanics, addition of “excess” CO2 is an important pre-condition for the formation of trona deposits.

Some physical characters of the sodium borates, with a new and rapid method for the determination of melting points.

Some time ago we published a note containing some new observations on the solubility of metallic oxides in fused boric anhydride. Since its publication we have been further studying some of the points therein mentioned, but have been in part anticipated by W. Guertler, who has examined many of the phenomena we remarked, in a more Complete manner.