Strontium hexaboride
Strontium boride (SrB6) is an inorganic compound. At room temperature, it appears as a crystalline black powder.[1] Closer examination reveals slightly translucent dark red crystals capable of scratching quartz.[2] It is very stable and has a high melting point and density. Although not thought to be toxic, it is an irritant to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.[1]
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Other names
strontium hexaboride | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.031.778 |
EC Number |
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PubChem CID |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
SrB6 | |
Molar mass | 152.49 g/mol |
Appearance | black crystalline powder |
Density | 3.39 g/cm3, solid (15.0°C) |
Melting point | 2,235 °C (4,055 °F; 2,508 K) |
insoluble | |
Structure | |
Cubic | |
Pm3m ; Oh | |
Hazards | |
EU classification (DSD) (outdated) |
not listed |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Infobox references | |
Magnetism
Strontium boride, along with other alkali-earth metal borides, has been shown to exhibit weak ferromagnetism at low temperatures.[3] This is thought by some to be caused by slight impurities or aberrations in the crystal lattice,[4][5] while others suggest different explanations are needed.[6] Strontium boride has also been examined for semiconducting properties at lower temperatures.[7]
Preparation
In his book The Electric Furnace, Henri Moissan describes an early synthesis of strontium boride by mixing strontium borate, aluminum, and carbon in an electric furnace.[2] Alternatively, a solid-phase synthesis of strontium boride can be carried out by reacting two moles of strontium carbonate with three moles of boron carbide and one mole of carbon inside a vacuum furnace.[8]
Uses
Strontium boride is used in insulation and nuclear control rods.[8] A recent patent filed for aircraft windows uses SrB6 nanoparticles in a transparent acrylic sheet. The IR-absorbing properties of these nanoparticles prevents the transmittance of infrared wavelengths while still allowing the transmittance of visible light.[9]
References
- http://www.espimetals.com/msds%27s/strontiumboride.pdf
- Moissan, Henri. The Electric Furnace.
- Young, D. P.; Hall, D.; Torelli, M. E.; Fisk, Z.; Sarrao, J. L.; Thompson, J. D.; Ott, H. R.; Oseroff, S. B.; Goodrich, R. G.; Zysler, R. (1999). "High-temperature weak ferromagnetism in a low-density free-electron gas". Nature. 397 (6718): 412–414. doi:10.1038/17081. PMID 29667965.
- Shang, S.; Liu, Z. (2007). "Thermodynamics of the B–Ca, B–Sr, and B–Ba systems: Applications for the fabrications of CaB6, SrB6, and BaB6 thin films". Applied Physics Letters. 90 (9): 091914. doi:10.1063/1.2710081.
- Gavilano, J. L.; Ambrosini, B.; Ott, H. R.; Young, D. P.; Fisk, Z. (2000). "Low-temperature NMR studies of SrB6". Physica B: Condensed Matter. 281: 428–429. doi:10.1016/S0921-4526(99)01197-7.
- Dorneles, L.; Venkatesan, M.; Moliner, M.; Lunney, J.; Coey, J. (2004). "Magnetism in thin films of CaB6 and SrB6". Applied Physics Letters. 85 (26): 6377–6379. doi:10.1063/1.1840113. hdl:2262/31468.
- Ott, H. R.; Chernikov, M.; Felder, E.; Degiorgi, L.; Moshopoulou, E. G.; Sarrao, J. L.; Fisk, Z. (1997). "Structure and low temperature properties of SrB6". Z. Phys. B. 102 (3): 337–345. doi:10.1007/s002570050297.
- Zheng, Shu-Qi; Zou, Zeng-Da; Min, Guang-Hui; Yu, Hua-Shun; Han, Jian-De; Wang, Wei-Ti. "Synthesis of strontium hexaboride powder by the reaction of strontium carbonate with boron carbide and carbon". Journal of Materials Science Letters. 2002 (21): 313–315.
- "United States Patent Application 20090093578". Retrieved 2009-05-05.