What are the main uses of Sodium aluminum fluoride?

Sodium (Sodium), aluminum (Aluminum) and fluoride (Fluoride) are composed of sodium fluoroaluminate (Sodium aluminum fluoride), which is widely used in industry.

In the past, this compound played a key role in the aluminum smelting industry. The method of aluminum smelting is often accompanied by cryolite (that is, one of the common forms of sodium fluoroaluminate). Due to the extremely high melting point of alumina, direct melting requires a huge amount of energy. Cryolite can greatly reduce the melting point of alumina, allowing it to melt at relatively low temperatures. In this way, the energy consumption of aluminum smelting can be greatly reduced, and the cost is also reduced. This is an indispensable part of industrial aluminum smelting.

Furthermore, in the glass industry, sodium fluoroaluminate is also useful. It can adjust the melting temperature and viscosity of the glass to make the glass manufacturing process smoother. It can optimize the molding performance of the glass, making the glass uniform and transparent. For example, when making advanced optical glass, sodium fluoroaluminate can help craftsmen more accurately control the quality and characteristics of the glass to meet the strict requirements of optical instruments for glass.

The ceramic industry also relies on sodium fluoroaluminate. Adding this material to the ceramic glaze can change the melting properties of the glaze. Make the glaze surface smoother and brighter, and enhance the beauty and wear resistance of the ceramic. When firing ceramics, sodium fluoroaluminate can cause the glaze to spread evenly at the right temperature, forming a dense glaze layer, and improving the quality and value of ceramic products.

In summary, sodium fluoroaluminate formed from sodium, aluminum and fluoride has important functions in the industrial fields of aluminum smelting, glass and ceramics, and has made great contributions to the development of various industries.

Sodium aluminum fluoride physical and chemical properties

Sodium (Sodium), aluminum (Aluminum) and fluoride (Fluoride) involve many compounds. Common sodium-containing fluorides such as sodium fluoride (NaF), aluminum-containing fluorides such as aluminum fluoride (AlF), and sodium hexafluoroaluminate (Na 🥰 AlF, commonly known as cryolite) are more special.

Sodium fluoride is a white crystalline powder and belongs to ionic crystals. Its melting point is quite high, reaching 993 ° C and boiling point is 1704 ° C. Due to ionic bonding, the lattice energy is large. It is soluble in water, and the aqueous solution is alkaline, because F Hydrolysis: F + H ² O HF + OH. Sodium fluoride has certain toxicity and can react with acids to form hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas, such as NaF + HCl = NaCl + HF ↑.

Aluminum fluoride is a colorless triclinic crystal with a melting point of 1291 ° C and a boiling point of 1272 ° C. It is insoluble in water, acid and alkali solutions, and its chemical properties are relatively stable. This is due to the large Al-F bond energy in its structure, which makes the crystal structure stable.

Sodium hexafluoroaluminate is a colorless monoclinic crystal, often in white powder form. Melting point 1009 ° C, density 2.95 - 3.05g/cm ³. It is slightly soluble in water and conducts electricity in the molten state. It plays an important role in the aluminum smelting industry, which can reduce the melting point of alumina, because its molten state can ionize ions, enhance conductivity, and thereby reduce the energy consumption of aluminum smelting. Its stability comes from the formation of AlF ³ alloying ions, and the central aluminum ion is combined with six fluorine ions by coordination bonds, resulting in a stable structure.

Sodium aluminum fluoride production method

The method of making sodium and aluminum fluoride has been around since ancient times. The method is to take pure sodium first and put it in a special utensil. Sodium is soft and lively, and it will ignite violently in contact with water. Therefore, when operating, you need to be very careful to avoid water and moisture.

The second time you take fine aluminum, you should also put it in the same utensil. Aluminum is light and strong, and is a commonly used metal. When sodium and aluminum are in a device, heat it at a suitable temperature. When heating, you need to control its temperature, and do not make it too high or too low. If it is too high, the material will be vulnerable, and if it is too low, it will be difficult to react.

After sodium and aluminum are melted, slowly add fluoride. Fluoride is highly corrosive, so be careful when using it. When adding, it must be slow and uniform to fully react with sodium and aluminum.

When reacting, it can be seen that there are strange changes in the container. There may be a change in color, or a gas escapes. After the reaction is completed, cool it. At this time, the crude product of sodium and aluminum fluoride can be obtained.

However, the crude product still contains impurities and needs to be purified again. The purification method is to dissolve it in a specific solvent to remove its insoluble impurities. After evaporation, crystallization and other processes, pure sodium and aluminum fluoride can be obtained.

Although this method is simple, it is difficult to operate, and only those who are skilled in chemical technology can do it, and the whole process must follow safety regulations to avoid accidents.

Sodium aluminum fluoride in the use of what are the precautions

When using sodium (Sodium), aluminum (Aluminum) and sodium fluoride (Fluoride), many matters need to be paid attention to.

The first to bear the brunt is related to safety protection. Sodium is active in nature, reacts violently in contact with water, and even catches fire and explodes. Therefore, when using sodium, be sure to wear protective equipment such as goggles and gloves, and the operation should be in a dry environment, cut in kerosene or paraffin oil, and beware of excessive contact with water and air. Although aluminum is relatively stable, aluminum powder can easily form explosive mixtures in the air. When using aluminum powder materials, avoid dust and keep away from fire and static electricity. Sodium fluoride is toxic. Inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption may endanger health. When operating, it needs to be well ventilated to prevent dust generation. If you contact it accidentally, you should immediately rinse with plenty of water and seek medical treatment.

Furthermore, it involves chemical reaction conditions. When sodium, aluminum and sodium fluoride participate in the reaction, conditions such as temperature, pressure, and the proportion of reactants have a significant impact. For example, when sodium and sodium fluoride react under specific conditions, the temperature is not properly controlled, and the product may be very different from expected. When aluminum reacts with fluorinated compounds, pressure changes may also change the reaction process and product structure. Therefore, before the experiment or production, it is necessary to accurately plan the reaction conditions and strictly follow the operating procedures.

In addition, storage cannot be ignored. Sodium should be stored in kerosene or liquid paraffin to isolate air and water; aluminum should be placed in a dry place to prevent moisture oxidation; sodium fluoride should be stored in a cool and ventilated warehouse, away from fire and heat sources, and should be stored separately from acids and edible chemicals. Do not mix storage.

Repeat, the treatment after use is also critical. The remaining sodium in the reaction should not be discarded at will. It should be properly disposed of. It can usually be slowly added to anhydrous ethanol. After the reaction is complete, it should be disposed of according to relevant regulations. If aluminum-containing waste has recovery value, it should be sorted and recycled; if it has no recovery value, it should also be disposed of according to environmental protection requirements. Fluoride-containing waste liquid needs to be treated to meet standards before it can be discharged to avoid polluting the environment.

Sodium aluminum fluoride impact on the environment

Sodium (Sodium), aluminum (Aluminum) and fluoride (Fluoride) are involved in substances that have a significant impact on the environment.

Sodium compounds, if they flow into natural water bodies in large quantities, can cause water salinity. The salinity of water makes freshwater organisms face difficulties. The survival and reproduction of freshwater fish, shrimp and shellfish in rivers, lakes and marshes depend on the appropriate salinity. Salted water may cause its osmotic pressure to be unbalanced, physiological dysfunction, and death in severe cases. And if the soil penetrates due to sodium-containing wastewater, salt accumulation can cause soil compaction, poor aeration and water permeability, plant roots are difficult to stretch, nutrient absorption is blocked, affecting crop growth, and soil fertility is gradually lost.

Aluminum, in the natural environment, under normal conditions or in rocky soils. However, its release increases due to human activities. Acid precipitation initializes aluminum-containing rocky soils, and aluminum dissolves into water bodies. Excessive aluminum in water bodies is significantly toxic to aquatic organisms. Fish gills are affected by aluminum, gas exchange is blocked, breathing difficulties, and growth and development are delayed. For plants, aluminum can inhibit root growth, damage root tip cells, and hinder water and nutrient absorption. In forest soils, aluminum accumulation can destroy soil microbial communities, affect organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, and threaten forest ecosystems.

Fluoride, in moderation, is beneficial, and in excess, is harmful. Industrial production such as aluminum smelting and phosphate fertilizer manufacturing emits fluoride-containing waste gas wastewater. Fluoride in the atmosphere can be deposited into soil and water bodies. Excessive fluoride in the soil affects the absorption of calcium and magnesium and other elements by plants, causing physiological and metabolic disorders of plants, and chlorosis and necrosis of leaves. Excessive fluoride in water bodies harms aquatic organisms, causes bone deformation of fish, and affects reproduction. For mammals, long-term intake of fluoride-containing water or food can cause fluorosis, damage teeth and bones, and cause fluorosis, bone fluorosis, etc.

Sodium, aluminum, and fluoride in the environment, through complex migration and transformation, interact, threaten ecological balance, and endanger biological survival. Therefore, it needs to be treated with caution and reasonable control to ensure the safety of the environment.