Boron Extraction

[YT2095]

today I`ve managed to extract the element Boron from Boric acid, so for those element collectors out there that couldn`t be bothered with Ebay here`s How.

 

1`st you`ll need a large pyrex test tube (don`t use your best test tube for this, it`s a little messy.

add a spatula of boric acid, and then heat it over a bunsen until it starts to bubble, you`ll notice moisture being driven off too, keep this going until the bubbling stops and try to get the mixture around the sides of the bottom of the test tube (this will help later when you try to get it off), the now boron oxide will look similar to the glass. allow it to cool and make sure no water condensation gets back into the Boron Oxide (turn the tube on its side and use a rightly rolled kitchen paper to absorb and water).

when cool, use a sharp instrument and do your best to scrape off the boron oxide without breaking the test tube!

to this add a spatula and a half of Magnessium powder and mix well.

if you have an old magnesium casting from a machine part and file over a large clean bowl, then you`ll be doing exactly what I did

 

Now reheat this mixture, I wore goggles and a kevlar glove as I didn`t know how it would react, it turns out that it`s quite a gentle reaction but very exothermic, you`ll notice that the mass starts to glow orage and that glow will spread throughout, maybe the occasional white/yellowish flash. again leave it to cool.

 

then add some dillute HCl, you`ll see it fizz a little as it dissolved any unreacted magnessium and it`s Oxides, as it`s doing this, you`ll notice black material start to float about, That is your Boron!

 

filter and wash then add your new element to your collection

[RyanJ]

Great practiacal YT2095 I'm going to try this one. I've got some Boron ordered but its not the same when you don't make it yourself

 

Cheers and thanks for this (Will be trying this later today)

 

Ryan Jones

[akcapr]

wow i definately gonna try that. how many grams did you obtain yt?

[budullewraagh]

hot hot did you heat the boron oxide to get it to thermite?

[YT2095]

I didn`t get anything in the order of grams, 1/8`th of a spatula full as a powder in the filter paper, bud yeah, you`ve got to get it really hot to start the reaction, after that it takes over itself. again, don`t use your best test tube for this, I`ve still got mine soaking to try and get rid of the glass like boron oxide remains. it would probably work alot better if you could start with the boron oxide in the 1`st place instead of having to make that as well, but it certainly works well enough to give you a sample of Boron