What Is Barium Nitrate?
Barium nitrate, also known as barium dinitrate or barium bisnitrate, is a nitrate of barium. It is represented by the chemical formula Ba(NO3)2 and has a molecular weight of 261.34 g/mol. It is assigned the CAS registration number 10022-31-8, a unique identifier for chemical substances.
At room temperature and pressure, barium nitrate exists as a white crystal or crystalline powder and is odorless. Its solubility in water is 90 g/L at 20°C, but it is almost insoluble in ethanol and acetone.
Uses of Barium Nitrate
Barium nitrate is a relatively stable oxidizing agent, used in manufacturing carlit, pyrotechnics (fireworks, smoke bombs, etc.), optical glass, glazes, pharmaceuticals, rubber chemicals, and many other fields. Carlit, an explosive composed mainly of ammonium perchlorate, was invented overseas and patented in 1918. It has been utilized in a wide range of fields, including civil engineering.
Optical glass, primarily made from silica stone and silica sand, contains very few impurities that impair transparency, making it ideal for optical elements that transmit light, such as lenses, prisms, optical filters, and detector window plates, as well as for light propagation, such as light guides. They are also used as qualitative analysis samples to determine the substances contained in a sample.
Pyrotechnics, known as processed gunpowder and explosives, are widely used in space exploration, including fireworks, airbags in automobiles, and rockets.
Properties of Barium Nitrate
Barium nitrate is classified under various safety laws. Although barium nitrate itself is noncombustible, it can ignite and burn violently when mixed with combustibles and must be handled with care. It is a strong oxidizer, reacting with combustible and reducing substances. When heated, it decomposes, producing nitrogen oxides, which can react with metal powders, posing a fire and explosion hazard.
Other Information on Barium Nitrate
1. Regulatory Information on Barium Nitrate
Barium nitrate is classified under various safety laws as hazardous material, dramatic, and oxidizing substances.
2. Handling and Storage Precautions
When handling or storing barium nitrate, adhere to the following precautions:
- Store outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid mixing with oxidizing agents, reducing agents, and combustibles.
- Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
- Use sealed apparatus, equipment, or local ventilation in areas where dust is generated.
3. Manufacturing Process of Barium Nitrate
Barium nitrate is produced using various methods:
- Reaction of acid and base, e.g., 2HNO₃ + Ba(OH)₂ → Ba(NO₃)₂ + 2H₂O
- Reaction of a base with an acidic oxide, e.g., Ba(OH)₂ + N₂O₅ → Ba(NO₃)₂ + H₂O
- Reaction of basic oxides with acidic oxides, e.g., BaO + 2HNO₃ → Ba(NO₃)₂ + H₂O; BaO + N₂O₅ → Ba(NO₃)₂
- Reaction of weak salts with strong acids, e.g., BaF₂ + 2HNO₃ → Ba(NO₃)₂ + 2HF
- Reaction of a weak base salt with a strong base, e.g., Sn(NO₃)₂ + Ba(OH)₂ → Ba(NO₃)₂ + Sn(OH)₂
- Reaction of an active metal with an acid, e.g., Ba + 2HNO₃ → Ba(NO₃)₂ + H₂