Optimal plasma process routes for boron nitride (BN) powder production from boric acid (H3BO3)

The results of equilibrium composition and total enthalpy computation in the temperature range of 1000 to 6000 K and at pressure of 1 bar, for the systems B O H N and B O C H N are presented in the paper. These data enable the determination, and optimization of mass, temperature and energy parameters of the process for ultrafine boron nitride powder production by the boric acid (H3BO3) decomposition in nitrogen plasma, followed by reactive quenching with cold methane or propane–butane gas. In both cases for the optimized processes yield of boron nitride powder can be up to 100% in wide temperature range.