Bismuth subcarbonate (Bi₂O₂CO₃), also known as basic bismuth(III) carbonate or dibismuth carbonate dioxide, is a white to slightly yellowish, odourless, and tasteless powder that gradually darkens upon exposure to light. It has a relative density of 6.86 and is insoluble in water, ethanol, and most organic solvents. It is readily soluble in nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and glacial acetic acid; soluble in ammonium chloride solution; and slightly soluble in alkali metal carbonate solutions. It decomposes at approximately 308 °C, yielding bismuth oxide and carbon dioxide upon heating.
Opacifier in X-ray diagnosis, enamel fluxes, ceramic glazesBismuth carbonate oxide is used in ceramic glazes and pearly coatings on plastics. It is also used as an antacid and anti-diarrheal in medicinal chemistry. Further, it is used as a filler in radiopaque catheters. It is also employed in fireworks and to make Dragon's eggs. In addition to this, it is made into nanotube arrays that exhibit antibacterial properties.
Bismuth subcarbonate [(BiO)2CO3] is used to make other bismuth compounds, cosmetics,
enamel, and ceramic glazes. Its major use is as an opaque substance placed in the digestive
tract to show up on X-rays.
ChEBI: Bismuth subcarbonate is a bismuth coordination entity and a one-carbon compound. It is functionally related to a carbonic acid.
Bismuth oxycarbonate is prepared by adding sodium carbonate to a suspension of bismuth subnitrate in water.
BiONO3 + Na2CO3 → (BiO)2CO3 + 2NaNO3
(BiO)2CO3also may be prepared by adding ammonium carbonate to a solution of bismuth salt. The nature of the product in the preparative processes depends on the nature of the subnitrate or the bismuth salt used, the amount of water and the temperature.
Flammability and Explosibility
Not classified
