Optimization Process in the Synthesis of Stannous Chloride (SnCl2) by Redox Method in the Context of Downstream Tin Derivative Product

Abstract

Indonesia has been known as the Tin Island in Southeast Asian Tin Belt region. This makes Indonesia listed as the second biggest tin producer in the world after China, with production reached 33.444 metric tons. However, 95% of tin which has been exported is still in the form of bars, not the optimal downstream tin derivative products, especially in the form of tin chemicals such as SnCl2. It turned out that tin chemical products are imported to meet the needs of domestic industry. In 2014, tin import reached USD 200 million. As one of the downstream products of tin derivatives, SnCl2 can be used as a catalyst, reducing agent, and as the main ingredient for other tin derivative products. This research was conducted based on the demand of industry, PT Timah Industri, to study the synthesis of SnCl2 powder in optimum conditions with redox method. The tin powder was dissolved in concentrated HCl heated on a hotplate, with variations in the particle size of the tin, HCl concentration and the reaction temperature. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) was carried out at 8000C with a heating rate of 100Cmin-1. The morphological structure of SnCl2 powder can be determined using 3D-Optical Microscope VHX-5000. As for the SnCl2 phase, it can be identified using the Rigaku SmartLab X-ray diffraction. This attempt has succeeded in synthesizing SnCl2 powder at optimum conditions with a yield percentage of 95%.