Glass (Borosilicate): Chemical, And Chemicals

Glass (Borosilicate)

Introduction

Noble gases are the most commonly known inert elements. However, to have a solid material that is inert as well would be highly beneficial to many industries — chemical, medicinal, and pharmaceutical (Glass Alliance Europe, n.d.). Especially in the chemistry industry, where scientists must store and examine countless chemicals, such material is crucial, and if non-existent, would make dealing with chemicals much more difficult. Thus, scientists incorporated glass (specifically borosilicate glass) into their laboratories — a neutralized and transparent material in which most substances contained within would not typically have a tendency to react with the structure of. It is also resistant to heat and chemicals,

In order to break apart bonds, demands energy levels equivalent to that used when creating it (Indiana University, n.d.). Boron Trioxide, is an intermediate that synthesizes the glass, creating a low coefficient of heat expansion, giving the substance glass its heat resistant property and attributes to its mechanical strength (University of Delaware, n.d.)(Glass Alliance Europe, 2012). Na2O is added to the melting mix of silica and aluminum (which reduces energy needed) to create the highly durable glass, providing better chemical stability.

The prevalent molecule bond in this list is SiO2, silicon-oxygen, a bond that has a high enthalpy of formation (contributes to the chemical stability of glass). It would require a possible bond stabler than silicon-oxygen to interfere with the compound. The majority of substances existing would not be altered when stored within the inert material, thus it is used in the laboratory.

Environmental