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Literature review
Bismuth has a series of excellent characteristics, such as heavy specific gravity, low melting point, cold expansion and heat contraction at solidification, etc., especially the non-toxic and non-carcinogenic nature of bismuth, which makes it have many special applications. Bismuth is widely used in metallurgy, chemical industry, electronics, aerospace, medicine and other fields. Professor Zhang Shengqu from North China University has prepared a new heterogeneous bismuth vanadium/bismuth oxide visible light catalytic material to solve the problem of low photo quantum efficiency and poor photocatalytic activity for most of the visible light catalytic materials, which makes catalytic material has stronger degradation performance and higher stability [1]. Bismuth capsule independently developed in China has good therapeutic effects on peptic ulcer, chronic gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis [2]. In terms of the production of pure bismuth, Chen LAN et al. obtained the best condition for the preparation of high purity sponge bismuth from bismuth oxychloride residue through experiments, which further improved the production of pure bismuth [3].
For the application of bismuth, there is a long history which shows the development of bismuth industry and some innovations of using bismuth [4]. In 1737, bismuth was found firstly [5], and people just thought it is brittle, crystalline, white metal, somewhat pink with a high luster [6]. Then, in 1899, the syphilis was treated with bismuth [7], which means bismuth drug was developing gradually. Now, it is used as a radiotherapy treatment [7]. With timing going by, because of the chemical and physics properties [8], such as non-toxicity, corrosion-resistant and low thermal conductivity, it become the daily and industrial productions [9]. For example, the cosmetic [10], pigment for protecting other metals [8], catalyst for organic reaction [7] and semiconductor [4]. Even in the nuclear industry, it plays an important role to absorb X-rays [11]. Generally, the bismuth applications are deep and multiple. So, the scientific research of bismuth is becoming more and more deepen. Scientists are researching the future of nanometer ultrafine bismuth oxide and nanometer bismuth phosphate [12-13].
Due to its main application field, the production of pure bismuth powder and bismuth foam will be mainly introduced. In the electrolytic powder production, a redox process is involved so that fine powders can be precipitated from cathode, which provides high efficiency and quality of powder manufacture [15]. Other traditional methods include gas atomization [14] and ball mill, which have disadvantages such as high oxidation rate, high impurities or high labor and time cost [17]. In terms of bismuth foams, in the past, they were made by adding foaming agent such as TiH2 into viscous molten metals, with a disadvantage of uneven distribution of the hollow bubbles. A new production method with similar basic principle but different route will be introduced in the following text, which involves pressing of metal powder and foaming agent followed by heating them to melting temperature of metal. This production method is said to yield highly homogeneous cellular structure [16].
Finally, considering safety issue, bismuth powder is flammable and hazard, while Bismuth block is much less danger. Though, it still requires cautiousness when handling or manipulating the sample.
The main risks occur when the sample touches the skin and eyes. It may cause certain extent of irritation, but not severe or lethal. For our sample, it is covered with a layer of oxide that is not hazard, meaning it is safe to handle the sample with bare hands. But still be careful not to inhale or ingest the sample fragments.
As for the environmental effects, since Bismuth has low bioavailability, therefore it is unlikely to pose any immediate ecological risks, but releasing into water or soil is still prevented.
In storage of the sample, no special packaging material is required. But it is suggested that keep in dry, cool places, use spark-proof tools and explosion proof equipment, and minimize dust generation and accumulation [18-30].
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References
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[2] Liang yu, Wang qibin. Progress in clinical application of bismuth agent [J]. Clinical research and practice, 2008,31(31):194-196.
[3] Chen lan. Study on preparation of high purity sponge bismuth from bismuth oxychloride residue [J]. Mineral and metallurgical engineering,2019,39(1):106-108. .
[4] Zutao Guo. The development and applications of bismuth. Chemical intermediate. 9. 07. (2017).
[5]People's education press. The history of bismuth . May 20, 2019. from http://old.pep.com.cn/czhx/jshzhx/ystc/201009/t20100908_886473.htm.
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[7] Yihong Qin. The application and future development of deep processing bismuth. World Nonferrous Metals. 4. (1998).
[8] Jiyong Xia. Preparation of nano-superfine bismuth oxide and its application prospects in flame retardants. Modernization. 6. (2008).
[9] Guopin Zhang. The application and future application of bismuth. China Tungsten Industry. 6. (1992).
[10] Vania C. De Sousa. Marcio R. Moreiii. Ruth H. G. Kiminami. Combustion process in the synthesis of ZnO-Bi2 O3 [J]. Ceramics International. 26: 561 ~ 564. (2000).
[11] Xiaojing Zhang. Sai Zhang. Application of ruthenium and its composite materials in photocatalysis. Progress in chemistry. DOI: 10.7536/PC160632. (2016).
[12] Hellwig H, Liebert J, Bohaty L. Linear optical properties of the monoclinic bismuth borate BiB3O6 [J]. Journal of Applied Physics, 88:240-244. (2000).
[13] National Nonferrous Metals Industry Bureau. Non-ferrous metal industry "Fifteen Year" Science and Technology Development Plan. 2001: 11-17
[14] Neikov, Oleg D. Naboychenko, Stanislav S. Murashova, Irina V. Gopienko, Victor G. Frishberg, Irina V. Lotsko ＆ Dina V. in Handbook of Non-Ferrous Metal Powders - Technologies and Applications - 23.5 Health and Environment Protection. Ch. 23.5, 538-547. (Elsevier, 2009）Retrieved from
https://app.knovel.com/hotlink/pdf/id:kt006QQBZ1/handbook-non-ferrous/production-health-environment
[15] Zhelibo, E.P. & Grechanyuk, V.G. Precipitation of fine bismuth powders on passivated electrodes. Powder Metall Met Ceram (1978) 17: 415. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00795790. 0038-5735(1977).
[16] Neikov, Oleg D. Naboychenko, Stanislav S. Murashova, Irina V. Gopienko, Victor G. Frishberg, Irina V. Lotsko ＆ Dina V. Handbook of Non-Ferrous Metal Powders - Technologies and Applications - 10.2.1 Production Methods. Ch. 10.2.1, 212-223 (Elsevier, 2009) Retrieved from
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[17] Sino Santech Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Production technology and application of bismuth (2019). http://www.sinosantech.com/news/production-technology-and-application-of-bismuth-powder. Accessed 22 May 2019.
[18] Chemical Book. https://www.chemicalbook.com/. Accessed on May 20th, 2019.
[19] TOXNET, U.S. National Liabiray of Medicine. Accessed on May 20th, 2019.
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[24] CDH FineChemical. http://cdhfinechemical.lookchem.com/. Accessed on May 20th, 2019.
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[26] ESPI Metals. 1050 Benson Way, Ashland, OR 97520. Safety Data Sheet of Bismuth. (2015)
[27] ThermoFisher SCIENTIFIC. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. Safety Data Sheet of Bismuth. (2008)
[28] ThermoFisher SCIENTIFIC. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. http://www.finarchemicals.com/msds/. Index of msds. Accessed on May 20th, 2019.
[29] Acros Organics BVBA, Janssen Pharmaceuticalaan 3a, 2440 Geel, Belgium. MSDS#96777. (2009)
[30] Teck Metals Ltd. Suite 3300-550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. Safety Data Sheet of Bismuth. (2015)