Strontium carbonate
Strontium carbonate is a kind of carbonate salt derived from strontium, which has a powdery appearance that can be either white or grey. This substance exists in nature as a mineral called strontianite. Although it is not very soluble in water, it can become more soluble if the water is saturated with carbon dioxide. Despite being a weak base, it can react with acids. Strontium carbonate is utilized in a variety of applications, including the production of strontium nitrate, ceramics, glass, fireworks, and isotopic analysis.
Additional information reveals that strontium carbonate has a chemical formula of SrCO3 with a molecular weight of 147.63 g/mol. Its crystal structure is rhombic, and its density is 3.5 g/cm3. When heated to 1494 °C (2721 °F), it decomposes into strontium oxide and carbon dioxide. Strontium carbonate can be artificially produced through the “black ash” process or the “direct conversion” method using celestine, a mineral form of strontium sulfate.
How strontium carbonate can drive from Celestine?
The black ash process is a way to make strontium carbonate. First, celestite is heated with coke at a high temperature to create strontium sulfide.
SrSO4 + 2 C → SrS + 2 CO2
Then, the sulfide is mixed with carbon dioxide gas or sodium carbonate to produce strontium carbonate.
SrS + H2O + CO2 → SrCO3 + H2S
SrS + Na2CO3 → SrCO3 + Na2S
In the direct conversion method, celestite and sodium carbonate are mixed with steam to make strontium carbonate along with some other solids that don’t dissolve. This mixture is then mixed with hydrochloric acid to create a solution of strontium chloride. Finally, carbon dioxide or sodium carbonate is used to re precipitate strontium carbonate, like in the black ash process.
Strontium carbonate has applications in different industries. Some of its uses are:
- Manufacturing color television receivers (CTVs) to absorb electrons resulting from the cathode.
- Preparation of iridescent glass, luminous paint, strontium oxide, and strontium salts
- Refining sugar and certain drugs
- Cheap colorant in fireworks
- Neutralizing acid in pyrotechnics
- Production of crimson red flames in the fireworks industry
- Raw material for the production of other strontium salts
- Manufacturing of CTV where it absorbs electrons from the cathode • Used in road flares
- Used in the manufacture of color TV cathode-ray tubes, electromagnets, strontium ferrite, fireworks, fluorescent glass, flares, etc.
- Used to prepare barium strontium titanate and barium strontium titanate thin films
- Used to prepare europium-doped di-strontium magnesium di-silicate phosphor
