Sodium

In nature, sodium is found in the Earth's crust, 2.83 % (w/w) [7]. The isotope found in nature is ²³Na (100 %, stable) [7].

In pure, solid form, sodium exist in a body-centered cubic crystal structure [7]

Originally Na was produced by reducing Na₂CO₃ with C [6]:

Na₂CO₃ + 2 C 2 Na + 3 CO (g)


Currently the process used is electrolysis of melted NaCl [6].

Cathode: Na⁺ (l) + e^- Na (l)
Anode: Cl^- (l) ½ Cl₂ (g) + e^-

NaCl melts at 801 °C, so the process is carried out in a mixture of NaCl and CaCl₂ or Na₂CO₃ with a melting point of about 600 °C.