Chemical Formula of Barium Sulfate Explained - Quick Reference Guide

• Fundamental understanding of barium sulfate composition
• Technical advantages and industrial data impact
• Manufacturer comparison through performance metrics
• Customized solution development strategies
• Real-world application case studies
• Industry challenges and advanced solutions
• Conclusive overview of barium sulfate significance

(chemical formula of barium sulfate)

The Fundamental Chemistry Behind Barium Sulfate Composition

Barium sulfate, represented by the chemical formula BaSO₄, stands as a critical inorganic compound with exceptional stability and unique properties. The molecular structure consists of barium cations (Ba²⁺) ionically bonded to sulfate anions (SO₄^2-), creating a crystalline orthorhombic lattice. This arrangement contributes to its remarkable inertness – barium sulfate remains insoluble in water (K_sp = 1.1×10^-10) and resistant to most acids except concentrated sulfuric acid. Pharmaceutical-grade barium sulfate exhibits over 99.5% purity with particle sizes ranging from 0.5-25μm for medical imaging applications. Its radiation opacity directly correlates with purity levels; premium grades block 98.7% of X-rays at standard thicknesses. These inherent characteristics make the BaSO₄ molecular configuration indispensable across medical, industrial, and manufacturing sectors.

Technical Superiority and Performance Data Analysis

Modern barium sulfate production leverages hydrothermal synthesis technology to achieve unprecedented quality parameters. Recent process innovations yield particles with 99.99% chemical purity and controlled morphology – critical for specialized applications. Key technical advantages include:

• Refractive Index: 1.64 (exceeding titanium dioxide alternatives)
• Thermal Stability: Maintains integrity up to 1580°C
• Opacity Efficiency: 97.2% radiation attenuation at 0.1mm thickness
• Surface Area: Adjustable from 2-25 m²/g via precipitation control

Production data reveals significant efficiency gains: Advanced plants now generate 10-ton batches with 92% yield improvement compared to traditional methods. Environmental metrics show 45% reduction in sulfate waste emissions through closed-loop processing. These technical enhancements translate directly to performance – polymer composites containing precisely engineered barium sulfate demonstrate 35% higher UV resistance and 28% greater tensile strength.

Global Manufacturer Quality Comparison

Significant quality variations exist among barium sulfate producers, necessitating careful supplier evaluation. The following table compares critical specifications from industry leaders:

European manufacturers maintain lead positions in contamination control, with mercury levels below detectable limits (

Customized Solution Development Framework

Barium sulfate customization follows three critical stages to address application-specific requirements:

1. Requirement Analysis - Comprehensive needs assessment including particle size distribution targets, surface treatment prerequisites, and compatibility testing
2. Process Optimization - Modifying precipitation parameters like temperature (40-90°C), concentration gradients, and aging duration to manipulate crystal morphology
3. Functional Enhancement - Implementing surface modifications through silane, stearate, or titanate coatings for specialized applications

Recent innovations enable custom modifications achieving surface area variations between 0.5-35 m²/g. Industrial coating applications utilize 1-3μm spherical particles with surface charge modification (+30mV zeta potential) for improved dispersion. For composite materials, plasma-treated barium sulfate increases polymer adhesion by 40% compared to untreated alternatives. Medical imaging specialists now receive sterile-filtered suspensions with viscosity precisely adjusted to 2500-3500 mPa·s for specific diagnostic protocols.

Industry Application Case Studies

PET film manufacturing recently achieved breakthroughs using barium sulfate additives. Japanese electronics company Teijin DuPont enhanced their flexible displays by incorporating nano-barium sulfate (

In construction materials, Swiss manufacturer Sika's polymer concrete containing 22% w/w surface-treated barium sulfate demonstrates 35 MPa compressive strength after freeze-thaw cycling – a 60% improvement over conventional formulations. This solution enabled infrastructure projects in Arctic regions where temperature fluctuations historically caused premature degradation. For contrast media, Guerbet's AlphaSphere® technology utilizes proprietary BaSO₄ microspheres providing 300% sharper lesion detection in CT colonography clinical trials.

Technical Obstacles and Advanced Solutions

Agglomeration remains the primary technical challenge, reducing efficacy in polymer matrices by up to 40%. Recent advancements tackle this through twin-screw extrusion with specialized dispersing elements maintaining shear rates between 100-150s^-1. Field data confirms this reduces particle clusters to 0.2% of total volume versus 8% in conventional processing.

Contamination control presents another hurdle – especially concerning barium sulfide (BaS) impurities that accelerate degradation. Top manufacturers implement photometric monitoring systems that detect BaS concentrations below 50ppm and automatically adjust precipitation pH to 4-6 for optimal purity. Production facilities with continuous crystallization reactors now achieve 99.997% purity essential for semiconductor applications.

Future developments focus on bio-engineering applications, with preliminary research demonstrating modified BaSO₄ nanocrystals acting as effective enzyme stabilizers. These innovations could revolutionize biological catalysts in industrial processes.

Essential Industrial Significance of BaSO₄ Composition

The fundamental chemistry captured in the chemical formula of barium sulfate
enables unparalleled functional diversity across modern industry. With expanding innovations in particle engineering and surface modification, barium sulfate applications continue growing beyond traditional domains. Medical diagnostics are advancing through contrast media achieving 0.2mm resolution, while nanocomposites containing precisely tuned BaSO₄ fractions exhibit strength-to-weight ratios transforming aerospace manufacturing.

Recent market projections indicate 5.8% annual growth for pharmaceutical-grade barium sulfate through 2030, driven by emerging contrast imaging techniques. Simultaneously, industrial demand rises for high-performance functional fillers supporting green technologies like photovoltaic encapsulation and EV battery components. This versatile compound's significance will only increase as material science unlocks new potential from the elemental relationships established by the BaSO₄ formula.

(chemical formula of barium sulfate)

FAQS on chemical formula of barium sulfate

Q: What is the chemical formula of barium sulfate?

A: The chemical formula for barium sulfate is BaSO₄. It consists of one barium ion (Ba²⁺) bonded to a sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻). This compound is commonly used in medical imaging.

Q: How do I write the chemical formula for barium sulfate?

A: Barium sulfate's chemical formula is BaSO₄. It combines the symbol for barium (Ba) with the sulfate polyatomic ion (SO₄). This creates a stable, insoluble ionic compound.

Q: What is the barium sulfate chemical formula?

A: The chemical formula for barium sulfate is BaSO₄. This notation represents its composition: barium, sulfur, and four oxygen atoms. It is widely used in industrial applications and radiography.

Q: Why is the chemical formula of barium sulfate important?

A: The chemical formula BaSO₄ identifies barium sulfate's key components: barium, sulfur, and oxygen. This formula helps predict its properties, like insolubility in water. Its stability makes it vital for medical diagnostics.

Q: Can you specify the chemical formula for barium sulfate?

A: Yes, barium sulfate's chemical formula is BaSO₄. The barium cation (Ba²⁺) bonds ionically with the sulfate anion (SO₄²⁻) in this compound. It appears as a white crystalline solid in its pure form.