Barium Oxide

Introduction

Because barium does not exist naturally as a free component, it is obtained in ores, usually in the state of barite $\mathrm{(BaSO_{4})}$. Barium constitutes 0.05 per cent of the earth's crust. It is an alkaline earth metal with a light yellow as well as a gleaming look. Carl Wilhelm Scheele (C.W.S.) discovered barium in the year 1772 when he demonstrated that $\mathrm{BaO}$ was separate from $\mathrm{CaO}$‚ a substance it was frequently confused for. Humphry Davy separated $\mathrm{Ba}$ for the $\mathrm{1^{st}}$ time in the year 1808 using an electrolysis process he created.

Barium oxide $\mathrm{BaO}$, commonly known as barium monoxide, oxobarium, or baria is a non-flammable yellow-white substance. And it has a chemical formula $\mathrm{BaO}$ which is hygroscopic, meaning it quickly collects moisture from the air. Barium $\mathrm{(Ba)}$, in different compounds, has a wide range of uses, including use in the oil drilling, paint industry, glassware, ceramic manufacture as well as, drying agent in medicine, fireworks, including electronics among others.

What is barium oxide?

Thermally stable barium oxide $\mathrm{BaO}$ is very insoluble. When $\mathrm{BaO}$ reacts with water, it generates barium hydroxide $\mathrm{Ba(OH_{2})}$. It is a white hygroscopic material that is typically generated through the breakdown of barium salts. Oxide complexes are not electrically conductive. Some perovskite structured oxides, on the other hand, are electrically conductive but have found use in the cathode of solid oxide fuel cells for oxygen production systems. They are substances that include at least 1 oxygen anion as well as 1 metallic cation. They are often insoluble in aqueous solutions and also exceedingly durable, making them suitable in ceramic structures ranging from basic clay bowls to complex electronics with lightweight structural parts in aerospace for electrochemical purposes such as fuel cells. Because metal oxide complexes are basic anhydrides, they can undergo redox reactions with acids as well as act as a strong reducing agent. Pellets, bits, sputtering targets, powder, tablets, and even nanopowder are also available. Most quantities of $\mathrm{BaO}$are readily obtainable. Powder forms such as ultrahigh purity, high purity, submicron, but also nano may be explored.

What is the formula for barium oxide?

It is produced by oxidising $\mathrm{Ba}$ salts such as barium carbonate $\mathrm{(BaCO_{3})}$, in which the barium $\mathrm{(Ba)}$ burns in oxygen $\mathrm{(O)}$ to generate $\mathrm{BaO}$. As a result, Barium Oxide has the chemical formula $\mathrm{BaO}$.

$$\mathrm{2\:Ba\:+\:O_{2}\:\to\:2\:Ba\:+\:2\:BaO}$$

Structure of barium oxide

It has a cubic structure, the barium oxide structure $\mathrm{(BaO)}$, in which 1 ion of barium $\mathrm{(Ba)}$ participates in the process but both ions combine to produce $\mathrm{BaO}$. As a result, barium $\mathrm{(Ba)}$ is oxidized to generate barium oxide $\mathrm{BaO}$.

It has a net monoisotopic mass of 153.9 $\mathrm{g/mol}$. Because the no. of hydrogen (H) bond acceptors is 1 and the no. of hydrogen (H) bond donors is 0, the chemical contains 1 covalently bonded unit.

Properties of barium oxide $\mathrm{(BaO)}$

Property	Attributes
Molecular weight	153.326 g/mol
Magnetic susceptibility	$\mathrm{-29.110^{-6}\:cm^{3}/mol}$
Density	5.72$\mathrm{g/cm^{3}}$
Solubility in water	3.48 g/100 ml at 20 $\mathrm{^{\circ}}$C
B.P.	2000 $\mathrm{^{\circ}}$C
Crystal structure	Cubic
M.P.	1923 $\mathrm{^{\circ}}$C

Production of barium oxide

Thermal decomposition of Barium Carbonate $\mathrm{BaCO_{3}}$, or Barium Nitrate $\mathrm{Ba(NO_{3})_{2}}$, can provide Barium Oxide$\mathrm{BaO}$. The following are the reactions

$$\mathrm{BaCO_{3}\to BaO\:+\:CO_{2}}$$

$$\mathrm{2\:Ba(NO_{3})_{2}\to 2\:BaO\:+\:4NO_{2}\:+\:O_{2}}$$

It can also be made by combining Ba with O.

$$\mathrm{2\:Ba\:+\:O_{2} \to 2\:BaO}$$

It has also been produced by reacting barium chloride $\mathrm{(BaCl_{2})}$, with ammonia $\mathrm{(NH_{3})}$, then precipitating it with deionized water. This is one of the numerous procedures for manufacturing $\mathrm{(BaO)}$ that can only be done in a lab under controlled circumstances.

Industrially, the extraction of barium oxide $\mathrm{(BaO)}$ from barium carbonate $\mathrm{(BaCl_{2})}$ faces extraction challenges. This is because it is frequently polluted with extra carbon, which is normally supplied to avoid $\mathrm{BaO}$ from converting to barium peroxide. The existence of extra carbon causes the combination of carbon $\mathrm{(C)}$ including barium oxide $\mathrm{BaO}$ to look black. It is not possible to remove the extra carbon $\mathrm{(C)}$ merely by warming the mixture since this would trigger a reaction with the $\mathrm{(BaO)}$ for regeneration of barium carbonate $\mathrm{(BaCO_{3})}$, thus undoing the progress accomplished.

Uses of barium oxide

• In electrical equipment, to cover hot cathodes

• In the process between alcohols with ethylene oxide, as an ethoxylation catalyst

• Through thermal fluctuation, as an oxygen (O) source

• For oxidation of barium peroxide

• In isomer separation procedures

• As a reducing agent

• As an oxidizing agent

• To boost the flux density of permanent magnets

• Lubricating oil detergents are used as a cleaning agent in fuels.

• Used as a desiccant to dry gases including liquids. It has the added benefit of not swelling with moisture but also getting wet plus sticky.

Conclusion

At ambient temperature,$\mathrm{BaO}$ is a white, one-of-a-kind chemical substance that can absorb water from its surroundings. It is generated when $\mathrm{Ba}$ salts, such as $\mathrm{BaCO_{3}}$, are heated. It is also utilized as a liquid drying agent. Several $\mathrm{Ba}$-containing oxides also include other metals. They are frequently tailored for specific uses but are usually in powdered form with particle sizes as tiny as thirty nanometers.

It is a poisonous as well as a corrosive substance that is non-combustible but also sensitive to moisture. Inhaling, ingesting, or coming into contact with vapours, substances, or dust results in serious burns or deaths.

FAQs

Q1. What happens when you consume barium monoxide?

Ans. Excessive amounts of barium oxide can cause death. Barium protoxide has a cubic structure that seems like a non-flammable white-yellow powder. When consumed, it may be harmful. Irritating to the eyes, mucous membranes, as well as skin. $\mathrm{BaO}$ has an accurate mass as well as a monoisotopic mass of 153.9 g/mol.

Q2. What chemical characteristics does BaO have?

Ans. When a barium salt is oxidized, it produces barium monoxide, also known as baria. It is a white hygroscopic material that is non-combustible.

Due to the oxidation of barium salts, the sub-atomic expression for barium oxide is $\mathrm{BaO}$. The expression for barium oxide is given by the accompanying condition,

$$\mathrm{2\:Ba\:+\:O_{2}\:\to\:2\:BaO}$$

Q3. In sodium (Na) vapour lamps, why do we treat tungsten (W) cathodes with barium oxide(BaO)?

Ans. When $\mathrm{BaO}$ is accumulated on the wire filament, the working ability of W is reduced. To put it differently, tungsten (W) discharges electrons more effectively and thus functions more effectively.

Q4. How is carbon introduced to the reaction mixture during the thermal breakdown of $\mathrm{BaCO_{3}}$ to produce $\mathrm{BaO}$?

Ans. Due to its high lattice energy, barium carbonate decomposes at around 1400 $\mathrm{^{\circ}}$C.

$$\mathrm{BaO+CO_{2} \to BaCO_{3}}$$

The process becomes reversible at such high temperatures. Carbon added reacts with $\mathrm{CO_{2}}$ to produce CO, making the process irreversible,$\mathrm{CO_{2}+C \to 2CO}$.

Q5. What exactly is a Barium (Ba) enema?

Ans. It is an X-ray diagnostic that can detect abnormalities or anomalies in the digestive system (colon). The system is also known as a colon X-ray. A purification is when fluid is infused into your rectum via a tiny tube. In this case, the fluid contains a metallic component (barium) that coats the colon's covering. Normally, an X-ray produces an unfavourable image of sensitive tissues, but the Ba coating produces a usually clear image of the colon.