Thermodynamic analysis of the refining of technical boron nitride

The efficiency of the process of refining technical boron nitride was assessed based on calculations of the chemical equilibrium in the B-N-O-C-Cl-H system. Three refining mixtures, CCl₄ + H₂, CCl₄ + NH₃ and CHCl₃ + NH₃, were considered. The analysis indicates that the use of ammonia-containing mixtures is more convenient, a lower residual oxygen content, lower contamination of the product by carbon and a better overall boron balance emerging. The calculations of the equilibrium composition of the solid phase enabled suitable technological conditions of the refining process (temperature and starting composition of the gaseous phase) to be established. The calculated results are compared with experimental data, and some observed differences are discussed.