Chemistry:Strontium sulfate

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Strontium sulfate
Names
IUPAC name
Strontium sulfate
Other names
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 231-850-2
UNII
Properties[4]
SrSO
4
Molar mass 183.68 g·mol−1
Appearance white orthorhombic crystals
Density 3.96 g/cm3
Melting point 1,606 °C (2,923 °F; 1,879 K)
0.00138 g/100 mL[1]
3.44×10−7
Solubility slightly soluble in acids
Band gap 5.92 eV[2]
−57.9×10−6 cm3/mol
1.622[3]
Structure[2]
Orthorhombic
Pnma, No. 62
mmm
a = 5.34 Å, b = 6.87 Å, c = 8.36 Å
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°
306.72 Å3
4
Thermochemistry[4]
117.0 J⋅mol−1·K-1
−1453.1 kJ⋅mol−1
−1340.9 kJ⋅mol−1
Enthalpy of fusion fHfus)
36 kJ⋅mol−1
Hazards
GHS pictograms GHS07: Harmful
GHS Signal word Warning
H302, H315, H319, H335
P261, P305+351+338
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
Related compounds
Other anions
Other cations
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Strontium sulfate (SrSO
4
) is the sulfate salt of strontium. It is a white crystalline powder and occurs in nature as the mineral celestine. It is very poorly soluble in water.

Structure

Strontium sulfate is a polymeric material, isostructural with barium sulfate.[citation needed]

Applications and chemistry

Strontium sulfate is of interest as a naturally occurring precursor to other strontium compounds, which are more useful. In industry it is converted to strontium carbonate (SrCO
3
) for use as ceramic precursor and strontium nitrate (Sr(NO
3
)
2
) for use in pyrotechnics.[7]

The low aqueous solubility of strontium sulfate can lead to scale formation in processes where these ions meet. For example, it can form on surfaces of equipment in underground oil wells depending on the groundwater conditions.[8][9]

Pyrotechnics

Strontium sulfate is used as a high temperature / flash phase oxidizer in some red strobing compositions, along with ammonium perchlorate (NH
4
ClO
4
and treated magnesium or magnalium powder. One theory as to why this occurs is that the ammonium perchlorate sustains combustion at a very low temperature until enough heat has built up for the sulfate combustion reaction to occur. This reaction is extremely rapid and consumes the portion of the composition that was hot enough for the sulfate to act as an oxidizer producing a rapid flash of light, the ammonium perchlorate-metal portion of the composition continues burning with very little flame, and the cycle repeats.[10]

Biological role

Crystallized strontium sulfate is utilized by a small group of radiolarian protozoa, called the Acantharea, as a main constituent of their skeleton.[citation needed]

References

  1. Shimizu, Takeo (February 1994). "Stabilizing Firework Compositions | I. Minimum Solubility Law to Foresee the Degeneration | II. A New Chemical Method of Magnesium Coating". 19th International Pyrotechnics Seminar. Christchurch: South Pacific Information Services. pp. 1-18. http://www.jpyro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Sh1_063_sn7f.pdf. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Materials explorer - SrSO4". The Materials Project. https://next-gen.materialsproject.org/materials/mp-5285. 
  3. Patnaik, Pradyot (2003). Handbook of Inorganic Chemical Compounds. McGraw-Hill. pp. 560–576. ISBN 0-07-049439-8. https://books.google.com/books?id=Xqj-TTzkvTEC. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 Template:RubberBible97th
  5. Sigma-Aldrich Co., Strontium sulphate.
  6. "Strontium sulfate SDS" (pdf). ThermoFisher Scientific. 24 December 2025. p. 2. https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AA3837314&productDescription=STRONTIUM+SULFATE+RGT+GRD+25G&vendorId=VN00024248&countryCode=US&language=en. 
  7. MacMillan, J. Paul; Park, Jai Won; Gerstenberg, Rolf; Wagner, Heinz; Köhler, Karl; Wallbrecht, Peter (2002). "Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_321. 
  8. Jacques, Donald F.; Bourland, Brent I. (1983). "A Study of Solubility of Strontium Sulfate". Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal 23 (2): 292-300. doi:10.2118/9625-PA. 
  9. Dean, S. W.; Ezuber, Hosni M. (2007). "Prediction of Strontium Sulfate Scale Formation in Oilfield Environment". Journal of ASTM International 4 (6). doi:10.1520/JAI100958. 
  10. Shimizu, Takeo (1991). "15.2 - Table 22 - Twinklers of the ammonium perchlorate base". Fireworks: The Art, Science, and Technique (3rd ed.). Austin, Tex., U.S.A: Pyrotechnica Publications. p. 224. ISBN 0-929388-05-4.