Bismuth

Location:  Group 15, Period 6
Atomic Weight:  208.9804
Coordination Number:  6
Chemical Form in Solution:  Bi(O)(H₂O)_x¹⁺

Storage & Handling:  Keep tightly sealed when not in use. Store and use at 20 ± 4°C. Do not pipet from container. Do not return portions removed for pipetting to container.

Chemical Compatibility:  Stable in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HF. Avoid basic media forming insoluble hydroxide. Stable with most metals and inorganic anions in acidic media. Many salts that are insoluble in water are soluble in HCl, HNO₃ and HF. The major problem with Bi³⁺ is its tendency to hydrolyze at higher concentrations or in dilute acid. Nitric acid solutions should be 5% to hold the Bi in solution in the 100 to 10000 µg/mL concentration range.

Stability:  2-100 ppb levels stable for months in 1 % HNO₃ / LDPE container. 1-10,000 ppm solutions chemically stable for years in 5 - 7% HNO₃ / LDPE container.

Bi Containing Samples (Preparation & Solution):  Metal (soluble in HNO₃); Oxides (soluble in HNO₃); Alloys (dissolve in conc. 4:1 HCl / HNO₃ - heating may be required.); Organic based (dry ash at 450°C and dissolve ash in HNO₃ or acid digestion with conc. hot Sulphuric acid adding hydrogen peroxide carefully dropwise until clear).