A Detailed Guide on Strontium Sulfate Solubility
Iran Celestite > A Detailed Guide on Strontium Sulfate Solubility
Strontium sulfate (SrSO₄) is the sulfate salt of strontium, which appears as a white crystalline powder and is found naturally as the mineral celestine. It is poorly soluble in water, dissolving at a rate of 1 part in 8,800. However, its solubility increases in some other solvents, namely dilute hydrochloric, nitric acids, and sodium chloride. Factors such as temperature, pressure, particle size, and the type of solvent can influence SrSO₄ solubility. In the following article, we will explore whether strontium sulfate is soluble or insoluble, its solubility in various solvents, and the factors affecting it. Read on and learn more.
Is Strontium Sulfate Soluble at All?
Strontium sulfate is the sulfate salt of strontium. It is a white crystalline powder that naturally occurs in the mineral celestine. It is a polymeric material with the same crystal structure as barium sulfate. Some acantharea protozoa use strontium sulfate for their skeletal elements. In industry, it is used as an indirect precursor to other salts of strontium and other more valuable compounds. It is most frequently converted to strontium carbonate, which finds some applications in ceramics, and to strontium nitrate, an intermediate in pyrotechnic mixtures.
For all its many uses, strontium sulfate dissolves only poorly in water, just 1 part in 8,800. However, it shows more solubility in dilute hydrochloric acid and dilute nitric acid, and it is reasonably soluble in alkali chloride solutions such as sodium chloride. On the other hand, the solubility of strontium sulfate is influenced by different factors such as temperature, pH, and common ion effect. Further interest is added to the solubility behavior of strontium sulfate with several other liquids. These shall be discussed in the following sections to provide a detailed understanding of the compound’s solubility.
Strontium Sulfate Solubility in Water
Strontium sulfate (SrSO₄) is known for its very poor solubility in water, with only 0.0135 grams dissolving in 100 milliliters of water at 25°C. But, this is not the whole response to the question, “is strontium sulfate soluble in water?” The point is that the limited solubility of strontium sulfate remains largely unaffected by pressure changes, as studies have shown that varying the pressure from 100 to 3,000 psig (689 to 20,684 kPa) results in only minor differences in solubility. Additionally, the trend of solubility decreasing with increasing temperature is evident. Research has indicated that, within the temperature range of 155°F to 235°F and pressure range of 806 psig to 2,377 psig, the solubility of SrSO₄ in water fluctuates between 322 to 701 mg/L. These findings highlight the compound’s stable yet limited solubility under varying physical conditions.
A mathematical model or regression equation is used to understand strontium sulfate’s solubility further. The strontium sulfate solubility equation is given by
where
(with T being the temperature in Kelvin), and R is a complex function of pressure (p). Specifically, R is defined as
Here, 𝑝 represents the pressure in psig (kPa). This model provides a detailed understanding of how temperature and pressure influence the solubility of SrSO₄. It is a valuable tool for predicting solubility under various conditions and aiding in industrial applications where precise solubility control is required.
Strontium Sulfate Solubility in Dilute Hydrochloric Acid
Dilute hydrochloric acid is a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and water, typically maintained at low concentrations. Most dilute acids are utilized in cleanings and analytic testing, where they can react efficiently yet forcefully with almost anything. Two other examples include dilute sulfuric acid, about 6 M, and dilute nitric acid, around 1 M. Unlike concentrated acids, which are strong and highly ionized, dilute acids ionize to a lesser extent, making them weaker but still valuable for many applications.
When strontium sulfate (SrSO₄) is brought into dilute hydrochloric acid, its solubility is higher than in water since chloride ions are available for the formation of soluble strontium chloride (SrCl₂). Such an exchange between Sr and Cl ions allows the dismantling of the structure of the strontium sulfate lattice, which further increases its solubility. This property is crucial in industries and laboratories, as time-efficient solubilization of SrSO₄ is essential for different processes and analyses.
Strontium Sulfate Solubility in Alkali Chloride Solutions
Alkali chloride solutions are aqueous solutions containing alkali metal salts of chlorides, like sodium chloride, NaCl, or potassium chloride, KCl. The above solutions have broad applications in industries and laboratories due to their ability to dissolve many substances. The chloride ions found in those solutions interact with different cations and facilitate various chemical processes. Uses of alkali chloride solutions include water softening, as electrolytes in a battery, and electrolysis.
SrSO₄ slightly dissolves in alkali chloride solutions. If SrSO₄ is introduced into any solution containing alkali chlorides, like NaCl, the chloride ions of the salt begin to react with the strontium ions in the salt. The interaction yields a soluble compound, strontium chloride [SrCl₂], which increases the overall solubility of SrSO₄. Alkali chlorides disturb the ionic lattice of strontium sulfate, making it easier for the compound to dissolve. This property is advantageous in various industrial uses where the dissolution of strontium sulfate is needed for further processing or analysis.
Strontium Sulfate Solubility in Organic Solvents
Organic solvents are liquids containing carbon that can dissolve or disperse another substance. They include ethanol, methanol, and acetone. Their applications are quite broad in industries and others for extraction, purification, and chemical synthesis. The solubility of a given chemical upon exposure to an organic solvent will depend on the polarity of the latter and the nature of the substance being dissolved. Generally, nonpolar substances or intermolecular forces of similar magnitude to those of the solvent will be more readily soluble.
Strontium sulfate (SrSO₄) is insoluble in organic solvents. SrSO₄ does not dissolve over ethanol or acetone because the ionic forces that bind the crystal lattice are too great to be broken by such organic solvents. This is insoluble in most common organic solvents, rendering the compound strontium sulfate very stable and non-dissolving in such environments. In that respect, this property is essential when considering strontium sulfate for use in some applications where it could face some organic solvent exposure and not lose its solid state.
Factors Affecting Strontium Sulfate Solubility Reactions
Several key factors influence the solubility of strontium sulfate (SrSO₄) in various environments. Temperature significantly impacts its solubility. Generally, solubility increases with rising temperature for many salts. Pressure also plays a role, although changes in pressure result in only minor variations in solubility, particularly at high pressures. Additionally, the presence of common ions, such as sulfate ions, can reduce solubility due to the common ion effect. Other factors include particle size, where smaller particles dissolve more readily, and complexing agents like EDTA, which increase solubility by forming soluble complexes with strontium ions. Key points include:
- Temperature: Typically increases solubility for many salts.
- Pressure: Minor solubility variations with pressure changes.
- Common Ions: The presence of sulfate ions reduces solubility.
- Particle Size: Smaller particles dissolve more easily.
- Complexing Agents: Increase solubility by forming complexes.
- Type of Solvent: Insoluble in ethanol and acetone but more soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid and alkali chloride solutions.
These factors collectively influence the solubility behavior of strontium sulfate in different conditions, which is crucial for industrial and environmental applications.
Final Thoughts
Now that we know all about strontium sulfate solubility, it is helpful to talk about a reliable supplier of this compound. Iran Celestite Co. is a trustworthy provider of strontium sulphate in various grades and types. With access to multiple celestine mines, the company ensures a consistent supply of high-quality products. Boasting a 100,000-ton annual production capacity and over 40 years in the market, Iran Celestite Co. stands out as a leading manufacturer. Advanced facilities guarantee efficient delivery to clients worldwide, which makes this strontium sulphate supplier the go-to choice for competitively priced strontium sulfate.