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Arsenic – Discovery, Occurrence, Production, Properties and Applicationsof Arsenic

Arsenic – Discovery, Occurrence, Production, Properties and Applications of Arsenic

Chemical Formula

As

Topics Covered

Background

Discovery

Occurrence

Production

Key Properties

Applications

Metallurgy

Semiconductors

Pesticides and Herbicides

Background

Arsenic is a semi-metallic element. Arsenic and its compounds are known to be toxic.

Arsenic has two forms. The grey metallic version has a density of 5.73g/cm3 and the yellow form that has a density of 1.97g/cm3.

Discovery

While arsenic has been in use since ancient times, in applications such as the hardening of bronze, its discovery has been attributed to Albertus Magnus in 1250AD. He isolated arsenic when he heated soap and orpiment (arsenic trisulphide, As2S3).

Occurrence

Although arsenic can be found in elemental form, it is most commonly found in minerals such as Mispickel (arsenopyrite, FeSAs) which is found in France, Germany, Italy, Romania, Siberia and North America.

Arsenic is also found in other minerals such as:

·         Realgar As4S4

·         Orpiment As2S3

·         Arsenolite As2O3

·         Loellingite FeAs2

Production

Arsenic is produce by heating arsenic-bearing minerals in the absence of air. E.g.

Key Properties

·         Arsenic and its compounds are known to be toxic

·         Arsenic does not melt, it sublimes, going directly from a solid to a gas

 

Property

 

Value

Symbol

 

As

Atomic Number

 

33

Atomic Weight

 

74.92

CAS Number

 

7440-38-2

Density

 

5.73g/cm3

Melting point

 

817˚C

Boiling Point

 

617˚C

Specific Heat

 

330J/kg.K

Electronegativity

 

2.18

Applications

Metallurgy

Arsenic is used as an additive for metallurgical purposes due to its semi-metallic properties. Examples include: adding 2% to lead to produce lead shot where the addition increases sphericity; a 3% addition to lead alloys increases mechanical properties and high temperature properties; and 0.15-0.50% addition to copper for high temperature applications.

Semiconductors

Arsenic compounds are used as semiconductors. In particular gallium arsenide (GaAs) is used in diodes, transistors and lasers. Indium arsenide (InAs) is used in infrared detectors and Hall effect applications.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Lead hydrogen arsenate is used as a herbicide and pesticide. Similarly chromated copper arsenate or Tanalith is used to treat timber and wood products.

 

Date Added: Jul 7, 2006


 

 

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