Difference between revisions of "Terbium sulfate"

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(Created page with "'''Terbium sulfate''' is an ionic compound with the formula Tb<sub>2</sub>(SO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>. It is notable for being extremely fluorescent, emitting bri...")
 
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==Properties==
 
==Properties==
 
===Chemical===
 
===Chemical===
 
 
Terbium sulfate is generally inert to reduction or oxidation. Heating to approximately 1500 degrees Celsius, however, produces terbium(III,IV) oxide. Its solubility in water decreases with heating, but it has a tendency to supersaturate, and a supersaturated solution of terbium sulfate may not crystallize for days.
 
Terbium sulfate is generally inert to reduction or oxidation. Heating to approximately 1500 degrees Celsius, however, produces terbium(III,IV) oxide. Its solubility in water decreases with heating, but it has a tendency to supersaturate, and a supersaturated solution of terbium sulfate may not crystallize for days.
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===Physical===
 
===Physical===
 
Terbium sulfate appears to crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system. It is a white solid that can be quite powdery when crushed. As a powder, it passes ''very easily'' through filter paper.[[File:Terbium_sulfate.jpg|thumb|256px|Terbium sulfate fluorescing in a plastic bag]]
 
Terbium sulfate appears to crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system. It is a white solid that can be quite powdery when crushed. As a powder, it passes ''very easily'' through filter paper.[[File:Terbium_sulfate.jpg|thumb|256px|Terbium sulfate fluorescing in a plastic bag]]
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==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
Terbium sulfate is extremely difficult to find at a reasonable price, but the materials needed for preparation, terbium metal and sulfuric acid, can be found quite easily.
 
Terbium sulfate is extremely difficult to find at a reasonable price, but the materials needed for preparation, terbium metal and sulfuric acid, can be found quite easily.
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*Make fluorescent crystals
 
*Make fluorescent crystals
 
[[File:Make Green Fluorescent Crystals from Terbium Metal|thumb|right|335 px]]
 
[[File:Make Green Fluorescent Crystals from Terbium Metal|thumb|right|335 px]]
==Safety==
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==Handling==
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===Safety===
 
Terbium sulfate does not appear to be particularly toxic.
 
Terbium sulfate does not appear to be particularly toxic.
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===Storage===
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===Disposal===
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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===Relevant Sciencemadness threads===
 
===Relevant Sciencemadness threads===
 
[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=27265 General discussion of terbium compounds]
 
[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=27265 General discussion of terbium compounds]
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[[Category:Chemical compounds]]
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[[Category:Inorganic compounds]]
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[[Category:Terbium compounds]]
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[[Category:Sulfates]]
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[[Category:Fluorescent materials]]
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[[Category:Chemicals for crystal growing]]

Revision as of 14:47, 6 September 2015

Terbium sulfate is an ionic compound with the formula Tb2(SO4)3. It is notable for being extremely fluorescent, emitting bright green light under shortwave ultraviolet light. It is relatively insoluble in water, especially when precipitated with potassium sulfate, forming a double sulfate with the formula KTb(SO4)2.

Properties

Chemical

Terbium sulfate is generally inert to reduction or oxidation. Heating to approximately 1500 degrees Celsius, however, produces terbium(III,IV) oxide. Its solubility in water decreases with heating, but it has a tendency to supersaturate, and a supersaturated solution of terbium sulfate may not crystallize for days.

Physical

Terbium sulfate appears to crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system. It is a white solid that can be quite powdery when crushed. As a powder, it passes very easily through filter paper.
Terbium sulfate fluorescing in a plastic bag

Availability

Terbium sulfate is extremely difficult to find at a reasonable price, but the materials needed for preparation, terbium metal and sulfuric acid, can be found quite easily.

Preparation

Terbium sulfate can be made by adding terbium metal to sulfuric acid. Terbium sulfate, however, does not dissolve in water easily, so stirring the metal to remove the layers of terbium sulfate powder helps greatly.

Projects

  • Make fluorescent crystals

Handling

Safety

Terbium sulfate does not appear to be particularly toxic.

Storage

Disposal

References

I vouch for pretty much everything. Brain&Force (talk) 04:03, August 19, 2014 (UTC)

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

General discussion of terbium compounds