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

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

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

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.

Thanks YT. Off to make/find nitric acid!

 

Ken

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.