Bismuth Oxide

[dubois928]

I want to make some Bismuth oxide so that I can precipitate some Bismuth chloride later with it. How would I go about making to Bismuth oxide if the metal just melts when a flame is applied?

 

Thanks,

Kenneth Anderson

[YT2095]

quick question, but Which oxide of Bismuth are you after?

 

the Trioxide or the Tetraoxide?

 

eitherway you start by dissolving the metal in Nitric acid.

 

edit: here, this is a nice book on the topic for you: http://books.google.com/books?id=Xqj-TTzkvTEC&pg=PA111&lpg=PA111&dq=bismuth+trioxide+prep&source=web&ots=Xr4PgyB5i2&sig=iuJ93A1bX00r8rVWb6tIeLWm7LY#PPA108,M1

[dubois928]

I guess it would be the trioxide. I've looked up ways to make nitric acid and I might try that or I'll just buy some online. What would be the rest of the process?

 

Ken

 

Nevermind I found it in the link you gave me. Thanks YT!

 

But still, how could I make the oxide? would heating in slowly and allowing the vapors to condense (say on the bottom of a metal lid with ice on it) form the oxide?

 

Ken

[YT2095]

well there`s only 2 oxide forms really, and the typical way is as stated in that eBook, via HNO3.

 

you won`t get the oxide (or much) using the method you mention, and you will need significant heat to distill Bi metal enough to form a deposit on your lid.

[dubois928]

Thanks YT. Off to make/find nitric acid!

 

Ken

[recursive]

I got a lot of bismuth oxide by accident just by melting it over aluminum foil, which increased its surface area. About 75% yield of oozy bismuth mess, aka the oxide.