Silicium
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Na metal from Borax
Simple question (i suppose), could one melt borax (melting point is 75 degrees C) and electrolysize it to produce Na metal at the cathode?
If so what would be produced at the anode (hopefully no toxic gases  ).
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Polverone
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That melting point is for the hydrate. To produce sodium you would need anhydrous conditions, and anhydrous sodium borate only starts to soften above
300 C. Sodium hydroxide is the favorite material for (relatively) low-temperature electrolysis. Read all about it in the existing sodium production
threads.
[Edited on 3-10-2006 by Polverone]
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12AX7
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IIRC, electrolysis of molten sodium borate yields boron, sodium and oxygen. I would suppose the boron would passivate the electrode.
Tim
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