BARIUM SULFIDE

Chemical properties

colourless crystals, or white to grey-brown powder,

Physical properties

Colorless crystalline solid; density 4.25 g/cm³; refractive index 2.155; melts at 1,200°C; soluble in water (decomposes); insoluble in alcohol.

Occurrence

Barium sulfide occurs in the form of black ash, which is a gray to black impure product obtained from high temperature carbonaceous reduction of barite. It is the starting material in the manufacture of most barium compounds including barium chloride and barium carbonate. It is used in luminous paints; for dehairing hides; as a flame retardant; and for generating H2S.

The Uses of BARIUM SULFIDE

Barium sulfide has different characters, so it is used in a variety of ways, such as in electronics, paint pigments, dehairing hides, flame retardant, luminous paints, and generating pure hydrogen sulfide. Barium sulfide can deviate X-rays and helps to give clearly image of the soft tissue. Barium sulfide is a precursor to other barium compounds and also used as a short wavelength emitters for electronic displays.

The Uses of BARIUM SULFIDE

As depilatory; in luminous paints; manufacture of lithopone; vulcanizing rubber, generating H2S.

Production Methods

Barium sulfide is grayish-white solid, formed by heating barium sulfate and carbon, reactive with H2O to form barium hydrosulfide, Ba(SH)2, solution. The latter is also made by saturation of barium hydroxide solution with H2S. Barium polysulfides are formed by boiling barium hydrosulfide with sulfur.

Preparation

Barium sulfide can be prepared by the direct reaction of the elements, calcined in an inert atmosphere, at a 1:1.05 molecular ratio:
Ba＋S＋heat→BaS
Barium sulfide is prepared commercially by heating barite (BaO) with coal or petroleum coke in a rotary kiln at 1000°C to 1250°C in an oxygen-free atmosphere. The product, black ash, is a gray or black powder containing carbonaceous impurities and unreacted barite. Barium sulfide is separated from impurities by extraction with hot water and filtration. Barium sulfide may also be made by high temperature reduction of barium sulfate with methane.

General Description

Barium sulfide (BaS) is an inorganic compound that is used as a precursor in the production of barium compounds. These compounds can be used in a variety of applications, such as ceramics, luminous paints, additives, and flame retardants.

Hazard

Highly toxic by ingestion (see Barium).

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

A poison. Flammable by spontaneous chemical reaction, air, moisture, or acid fumes may cause it to ignite. For explosion and disaster hazards, see SULFIDES. To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical. Reacts violently with phosphorus(V) oxide. Mxtures with lead dioxide, potassium chlorate, or potassium nitrite explode when heated. Incompatible with Cl2O, Ca(NO3)2, r(NO3)2, Ca(ClO3)2, Sr(ClO3)2, (ClO3)2. See also BARIUM COMPOUNDS (soluble) and SULFIDES.