Borax: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:31, 15 December 2024

Borax

Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water. Borax has a wide range of applications, from household cleaning to industrial uses.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral and a compound of the element boron. Its chemical formula is Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, which indicates that it is a hydrated sodium borate. The structure of borax consists of a network of borate ions linked together by sodium ions and water molecules.

Occurrence

Borax is found in evaporite deposits produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes. The most commercially important deposits are found in the United States, Turkey, and South America. The largest known borax deposits are located in the Mojave Desert in California.

Uses

Borax has a variety of uses in different fields:

Household Uses: Borax is commonly used as a cleaning agent, laundry booster, and deodorizer. It is effective in removing stains and neutralizing odors.
Industrial Uses: In industry, borax is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics, as a flux in metallurgy, and as a fire retardant.
Agriculture: Borax is used as a micronutrient fertilizer to correct boron-deficient soils.
Health and Medicine: Although not commonly used in modern medicine, borax has been used historically as an antiseptic and a preservative.

Safety and Toxicity

While borax is generally safe for use in household cleaning, it can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. It can cause skin irritation and should be handled with care. The use of borax in food and cosmetics is restricted in many countries due to potential health risks.

Environmental Impact

Borax is considered to be environmentally friendly when used appropriately. It is a naturally occurring mineral and does not persist in the environment. However, excessive use can lead to soil and water contamination.

Also see

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Chembox
+Borax
-| Name = Borax
-| ImageFile = Borax - Kramer Borate deposit, Boron, Kern Co, California, USA.jpg
-| ImageSize = 250px
-| ImageAlt = Borax crystals
-| ImageCaption = Borax crystals
-| OtherNames = Sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, disodium tetraborate
-| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
-| CASNo_Ref =
-| CASNo = 1303-96-4
-| PubChem_Ref =
-| PubChem = 24452
-| UNII_Ref =
-| UNII = 4JV39U4M9O
-| ChemSpiderID_Ref =
-| ChemSpiderID = 22868
-| RTECS_Ref =
-| RTECS = VZ2275000
-| InChI_Ref =
-| InChI = 1S/B4O7.2Na/c5-1-9-3(7)11-4(8)10-2-6;;/q-2;2*+1
-| InChIKey_Ref =
-| InChIKey = WMFSLZZLZVZBNL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
-}}
-| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
-| Formula = Na<sub>2</sub>B<sub>4</sub>O<sub>7</sub>·10H<sub>2</sub>O
-| MolarMass = 381.37 g/mol
-| Appearance = White crystalline powder or granules
-| Density = 1.73 g/cm³
-| MeltingPt = 743 °C (1,369 °F; 1,016 K)
-| BoilingPt = 1,575 °C (2,867 °F; 1,848 K)
-| Solubility = 2.17 g/100 mL (0 °C); 21.5 g/100 mL (20 °C); 36.4 g/100 mL (60 °C); 75.4 g/100 mL (100 °C)
-}}
-| Section3 = {{Chembox Hazards
-| EUClass = Not listed
-| EUIndex = Not listed
-| NFPA-H = 1
-| NFPA-F = 0
-| NFPA-R = 0
-| NFPA-O = COR
-| FlashPt = Non-flammable
-}}
-}}
+Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water. Borax has a wide range of applications, from household cleaning to industrial uses.
-[[File:Borax crystals.jpg|thumb|Borax_crystals]]
+== Chemical Composition and Structure ==
+Borax is a naturally occurring mineral and a compound of the element boron. Its chemical formula is Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, which indicates that it is a hydrated sodium borate. The structure of borax consists of a network of borate ions linked together by sodium ions and water molecules.
-'''Borax''' is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Na<sub>2</sub>B<sub>4</sub>O<sub>7</sub>·10H<sub>2</sub>O. It is also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. Borax is a white, odorless powder that is soluble in water.
+== Occurrence ==
+Borax is found in evaporite deposits produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes. The most commercially important deposits are found in the United States, Turkey, and South America. The largest known borax deposits are located in the Mojave Desert in California.
-==History==
+== Uses ==
-Borax was first discovered in Tibet in the 8th century, where it was used as a flux in metalworking. It was later imported to Europe, where it became known as "tincal." In the 19th century, large deposits of borax were discovered in California, leading to the development of the borax industry in the United States.
+Borax has a variety of uses in different fields:
-==Production==
+* '''[[Household Uses]]''': Borax is commonly used as a cleaning agent, laundry booster, and deodorizer. It is effective in removing stains and neutralizing odors.
+* '''[[Industrial Uses]]''': In industry, borax is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics, as a flux in metallurgy, and as a fire retardant.
+* '''[[Agriculture]]''': Borax is used as a micronutrient fertilizer to correct boron-deficient soils.
+* '''[[Health and Medicine]]''': Although not commonly used in modern medicine, borax has been used historically as an antiseptic and a preservative.
+== Safety and Toxicity ==
+While borax is generally safe for use in household cleaning, it can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. It can cause skin irritation and should be handled with care. The use of borax in food and cosmetics is restricted in many countries due to potential health risks.
-[[File:Borax-unit-cell-3D-balls.png|thumb|Borax-unit-cell-3D-balls]]
+== Environmental Impact ==
+Borax is considered to be environmentally friendly when used appropriately. It is a naturally occurring mineral and does not persist in the environment. However, excessive use can lead to soil and water contamination.
-Borax is primarily produced from the mineral borate, which is found in deposits in California, Turkey, and other countries. The borate is mined and then processed to remove impurities, resulting in a pure form of borax. Borax can also be synthesized by reacting boric acid with sodium hydroxide.
+== Also see ==
+* [[Boron]]
+* [[Boric acid]]
+* [[Sodium carbonate]]
+* [[Mineral]]
+* [[Evaporite]]
-==Uses==
+{{Chemistry}}
-Borax has a wide range of uses, including:
+{{Minerals}}
-===Household use===
+[[Category:Minerals]]
-Borax is commonly used as a household cleaner, particularly as a laundry booster. It can also be used as a pesticide to control insects, including ants and cockroaches.
-===Industrial use===
-Borax is used in the production of glass, ceramics, and enamel. It is also used in the manufacture of fiberglass insulation and as a flux in welding and soldering.
-===Personal care===
-Borax is used in some personal care products, such as toothpaste and deodorant, as an antiseptic and as a preservative.
-===Food===
-Borax is sometimes used as a food additive, particularly in some Asian cuisines, where it is used as a preservative and to impart a firm texture to foods.
-==Safety==
-Borax is generally considered safe when used in household and industrial applications. However, it can be toxic if ingested or inhaled in large quantities, and it can cause skin irritation. Borax is also an eye irritant and can cause respiratory problems if inhaled. Therefore, it is important to handle borax with care and to keep it out of reach of children.
-==In popular culture==
-Borax has been referenced in popular culture, particularly in its use as a laundry detergent in the Western United States. In the 1950s, the "20 Mule Team Borax" brand was used to promote borax laundry detergent in a popular television program called Death Valley Days. The program featured a fictional story about the use of borax by a team of mules to transport borax across the desert. The brand and the program became so popular that borax is still associated with the "20 Mule Team" to this day.
-==See also==
-Boron
-Boric acid
-Sodium carbonate
-Sodium bicarbonate
-==References==
-{{Reflist}}
-==External links==
-*[https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp26-c1.pdf ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Boron and Compounds]
-*[https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/borax.pdf EPA - Technical Fact Sheet: Borax]
-*[https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng1408.html NIOSH - International Chemical Safety Card: Borax]
-[[Category:Boron compounds]]
 [[Category:Cleaning agents]]
-[[Category:Food additives]]
-[[Category:Insecticides]]
-[[Category:Preservatives]]
-[[Category:Sodium compounds]]
-*[https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp26-c1.pdf ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Boron and Compounds]
-*[https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/borax.pdf EPA - Technical Fact Sheet: Borax]
-*[https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng1408.html NIOSH - International Chemical Safety Card: Borax]
 [[Category:Boron compounds]]
-[[Category:Cleaning agents]]
+[[Category:Industrial minerals]]
-[[Category:Food additives]]
-[[Category:Insecticides]]
-[[Category:Preservatives]]
-[[Category:Sodium compounds]]
-{{stub}}