What is barium sulfate used for?

Answer 1

Catalyst support

Barium sulfate is a low surface area material used as a support for selectively hydrogenating functional groups sensitive to overreduction. With a low surface area, the contact time of the substrate with the catalyst is shorter. A supported palladium catalyst on barium sulfate, and doped (poisoned) with quinoline hydrogenates alkynes into cis-alkenes. Alkenes are liable to be hydrogenated further into alkanes, which reaction the special support and poison prevent.

Radiocontrast agent

Barium sulfate is frequently used clinically as a radiocontrast agent for X-ray imaging and other diagnostic procedures. It is most often used in imaging of the GI tract during what is colloquially known as a 'barium meal'.

It is administered, orally or by enema, as a suspension of fine particles in an aqueous solution (often with sweetening agents added). Although barium is a heavy metal, and its water-soluble compounds are often highly toxic, the extremely low solubility of barium sulfate protects the patient from absorbing harmful amounts of the metal. Barium sulfate is also readily removed from the body, unlike Thorotrast, which it replaced. Due to the relatively high atomic number (Z = 56) of barium, its compounds absorb X-rays more strongly than compounds derived from lighter nuclei.

Pigment

Barium sulfate mixtures are used as white pigment for paints. In oil paint, barium sulfate is almost transparent,and is used as a filler or to modify consistency. One major manufacturer of artists' oil paint sells "permanent white" that contains a mixture of titanium white pigment and barium sulfate. Barium sulfate itself is called blanc fixe (French for "permanent white"). The combination of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide (ZnS) is called lithopone.

Pyrotechnics

Barium sulfate is commonly used as a component of "strobe" pyrotechnic compositions.

Barium sulfate is also used as a high temperature oxidizer in certain pyrotechnic formulas, as barium compounds emit a green light when burned. Barium nitrate is more common in green pyrotechnic formulas, as it contains an oxidizer while still producing green colored light.

Other uses

Barium sulfate is used as a filler in plastics and as a component of oil well drilling fluid to increase the density. It is also used in Episal salt, brake linings, anacoustic foams, powder coatings, and root canal filling.

Barium sulfate is also used during the procedure of the soil pH test. In this test it is used so that it precipitates out any particles (usually clay particles) which would otherwise 'cloud' solution preventing one from seeing the colour of the pH indicator i.e. the result of the test.

In colorimetry barium sulfate is used as a near-perfect diffuser when measuring light sources.

In Photography it is used as a coating for certain photographic papers.

In metal casting, the moulds used are often coated with barium sulfate in order to prevent the molten metal from bonding with the mould.

Answer 2

Barium sulfate is commonly used as a contrast agent in medical imaging procedures, such as X-rays and CT scans, to help highlight and visualize the gastrointestinal tract. It is also used in the manufacturing of paints, plastics, and certain types of paper to improve properties like brightness and opacity. Additionally, barium sulfate is used in drilling fluids in the oil and gas industry to increase the density of the fluid and prevent blowouts.

Answer 3

I would not recommend that at all. Barium sulfate, like all barium compounds, is highly toxic, using it as a dye that will come in human contact is not a good idea.

Answer 4

BaCl2 + H2SO4 = BaSO4 + 2 HCl The barium sulphate is a white, insoluble precipitate, not a solution.