Barium nitrate . (Ba (NO3) 2 ) is a salt composed of barium and the nitrate ion . Barium nitrate exists as a white solid at room temperature. It is soluble in water, and like other soluble barium compounds, it is toxic and must be handled with care. In nature it is present in a rare mineral, nitrobarite .
Summary
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- 1 Physical properties
- 2 Obtaining
- 3 Applications
- 4 Health risks
- 5 Sources
Physical properties
Physical Form: Crystals or powder
White color
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: 261.34
Boiling Point: Decomposes at temperatures above 590oC (1098oF)
Melting / Freezing Point: Decomposes at temperatures above 590oC (1098oF) 9.2g / 100ml water @ 20oC
Specific weight: 3.24
Obtaining
The process of obtaining Barium Nitrate is synthesized in two processes. One is to dissolve small pieces of barium carbonate in nitric acid , allowing all the iron impurities to precipitate, then filter, evaporate, and crystallize. The other requires the combination of barium chloride with a heated sodium nitrate solution , forming precipitating barium nitrate crystals.
Applications
The Baratol is an explosive compound barium nitrate, TNT and binder; The high density of barium nitrate makes baratol quite dense as well. Barium nitrate mixed with aluminum powder produces a sparkling powder . It mixes with termite to form termate-TH3 , which is used in military thermite grenades. It is also used in the barium oxide manufacturing process , in the vacuum tube industry, and to fire green in pyrotechnics .
In a nitric oxide atmosphere , thermal decomposition produces barium nitrite . Reactions with soluble metal sulfates or sulfuric acid sulfate yielding barium. Many insoluble barium salts, such as carbonate, oxalate and phosphate of the metal, are precipitated by similar double decomposition reactions. Barium nitrate is an oxidant and reacts violently with common reducing agents. Powdered solid, when mixed with many other metals such as finely divided aluminum or zinc , or combined with alloys such as aluminum and magnesium, ignites and explodes on impact.
Health risks
Like all soluble barium compounds, barium nitrate is toxic by ingestion or inhalation. cardiac regularity and seizures . Death can occur from heart or respiratory failure , and usually occurs within a few hours to several days after exposure to the compound. Barium nitrate can also cause kidney damage . Solutions of sulfate salts such as Epsom salts or sodium sulfate can be given as first aid for barium poisoning , since precipitate barium as insoluble (and non-toxic) barium sulfate.. Inhalation can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Although contact with the skin or eyes is less harmful than ingestion or inhalation, it can still result in irritation, itching, redness and pain.
