Cobalt Borate is an inorganic compound known in chemical circles for its striking blue shade and significant utility in several commercial and research applications. The chemical formula most often recognized is Co3(BO3)2. Relying on cobalt and boron for its elemental backbone, this material finds itself in both specialty ceramics and niche battery chemistries. Due to its notable ability to handle high temperatures and unusual electronic configurations, it commands attention within materials science, artistic glazing, and catalysis. The structure houses cobalt atoms in a pattern that imparts rigidity and unique electrochemical character. Beyond visual appeal, Cobalt Borate’s crystallinity accounts for performance across glass, ceramic, and electronic sectors.
Available forms of Cobalt Borate include fine powders, irregular flakes, granulated pearls, dense crystals, and, less commonly, an aqueous solution. The deep, violet-blue hue stands out, especially in solid and crystal states. Measuring by density, solid crystalline samples usually reach up to 4.09 g/cm³. Powders often show a finer grain, providing more surface area, a feature favored in catalysis and pigmentation. Flake material comes from controlled thermal breakdown or careful precipitation, gaining traction with enamel producers. Liquid and solution forms arise for laboratory use, but bulk manufacturing generally centers on powders and flakes. The stability and color also tie closely to purity grade and production technique, impacting downstream chemical compatibility and quality of finished goods.
With a molecular weight of about 344.56 g/mol, Cobalt Borate binds cobalt, boron, and oxygen in a network that stands up to heat and moderate chemical attack. On the property spectrum, it resists common acids but reacts under reducing conditions as cobalt(II) breaks down. The compound’s lattice enables electronic transitions that help in catalysis, specifically the oxygen evolution reaction for water-splitting setups and batteries. Its composition consists of cobalt bonded through borate units, with the formula Co3(BO3)2 indicating three cobalt ions paired with two borate groups. This architecture lets it slot into diverse chemical processes, from art ceramics to sustainable energy. Chemists rely on its stable crystal field, which makes it a good fit in high-temperature material synthesis and surface coatings.
Material specifications take account of not just density—often pinned at around 4.09 g/cm³ for pure crystalline forms—but also the granule or particle size, purity level (from standard industrial to ultra-pure grades), and physical structure. Fine powders suitable for research can reach particle sizes below 10 microns. Flakes and solid chunk versions fit best for melting or further synthesis. Industrial-grade cobalt borate might include trace metallic or oxide impurities, so buyers focusing on battery, sensor, or pigment applications closely monitor these figures. Proper labeling—showing HS Code 2840.19.0000 for customs and safety tracking—ensures shipment compliance. Reliable suppliers provide analytical verification (X-ray diffraction, ICP, or SEM analysis) that confirms chemical and mineral purity, which matters for research and market performance. Density shifts slightly with hydration state, so users weigh and test samples in-house whenever process accuracy counts.
Handling cobalt-bearing chemicals means taking real-world safety seriously, since cobalt can show hazardous or even harmful effects after extended skin contact, inhalation, or accidental ingestion. Cobalt Borate gets its hazardous classification based on such risks—dust inhalation, contact allergies, and long-term organ toxicity enter the picture for unprotected or loosely regulated facilities. Best practices recommend personal protection: gloves, eye protection, and good ventilation, especially with dry powders that go airborne. Clearly labeled storage in sealed, dry containers keeps loss and contamination down while limiting worker exposure. Spill clean-up centers on containment and thorough sweep-up, using proper respiratory gear to avoid inhaling fine particles. Industry literature points to cobalt salts causing problems in high-exposure settings, including some forms of cancer as well as heart and lung effects, so MSDS data and regulatory requirements in Europe, North America, and Asia get strict attention. Safe disposal follows local hazardous chemical regulations, with notification where cobalt content exceeds declared thresholds.
Cobalt Borate stays in demand for more than its laboratory reputation; it serves pigment specialists, glassmakers, ceramics producers, catalyst designers, and even battery researchers. As a pigment, its blue color fits into glass and kiln-fired glazes, where it stays stable through high firing cycles and resists fading. Battery researchers use it in novel positive electrode mixes, trying to harness cobalt’s electrochemical traits. Catalytic roles—especially in green hydrogen production—depend on the material’s active site mobility and high reactivity, helping speed water-splitting reactions. Enamel coatings owe their unique shades and luster to borate-driven color-stabilization, reflecting patterns proven for over a century in European ceramic houses. Some niche applications surface in raw material sourcing for complex magnets and electronic sensors, where strict control of impurities affects sensor output and component lifespan.
Anyone working with Cobalt Borate cares about more than just specs and chemical formulas. The broader picture—supplier history, mine sourcing, ethical extraction, and recycling stream integration—is beginning to shape research and factory budgets. Cobalt itself draws scrutiny for mining issues, while boron remains a relatively abundant element; buyers and regulators favor batch tracking, transparent trade practices, and clear supplier records. Smart laboratories and factories tie MSDS reviews to employee training, lean on analytical lab confirmation, and revisit density or purity controls with every order. Sustainable use means capturing waste, recycling cobalt where possible, and asking suppliers for documentation on sourcing. As regulations continue to evolve, especially on hazardous chemicals and raw material transparency, only those practices that trace every step (from raw extraction to warehouse) keep modern operations competitive and safe.
