Barium

Location:  Group 2, Period 6
Atomic Weight:  137.33
Coordination Number:  6
Chemical Form in Solution:  Ba(H₂O)₆⁺²

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:  Soluble in HCl and HNO₃. Avoid H₂SO₄, HF, and neutral to basic media. Stable with most metals and inorganic anions forming insoluble silicate, carbonate, hydroxide, oxide, fluoride, sulfate, oxalate, chromate, arsenate, iodate, molybdate, sulfite and tungstate in neutral aqueous media.

Stability:  2-100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃ / LDPE container. 1-10,000 ppm solutions chemically stable for years in 1-3.5% HNO₃ / LDPE container.

Ba Containing Samples (Preparation & Solution):  Metal (is best dissolved in diluted HNO₃); Ores (carbonate fusion in Pt⁰ followed by HCl dissolution. If sulfate is present dissolve the fuseate using HCl / tartaric acid to prevent BaSO₄ precipitate); Organic Matrices (dry ash and dissolve in dilute HCl. Do not heat when dissolving to avoid precipitation of SiO₂).