Preparation
Boron carbide was first synthesized by Henri Moissan in 1899, by reduction of boron trioxide either with carbon or magnesium in presence of carbon in an electric arc furnace. In the case of carbon, the reaction occurs at temperatures above the melting point of B4C and is accompanied by liberation of large amount of carbon monoxide:
- 2 B2O3 + 7 C → B4C + 6 CO
If magnesium is used, the reaction can be carried out in a graphite furnace, and the magnesium byproducts are removed by treatment with acid.
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