Aluminium Nitrate
Aluminium Nitrate (Al(NO₃)₃)
Aluminium Nitrate is a water‑soluble salt of aluminium and nitric acid, commonly encountered as its nonahydrate form Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O. It is a white or colorless crystalline, deliquescent compound, which acts as a strong oxidizing agent in many chemical systems. Its dual role as a nitrate source and aluminium ion supplier makes it valuable in various industrial, analytical, and specialized processes.
Product Specifications (Typical / Analytical / Industrial Grade)
| Parameter | Typical Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or semi‑transparent crystals, hygroscopic |
| Assay / Purity | ≥ 98.5 % (on basis of Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O) |
| Insoluble matter | ≤ 0.005 % (max) |
| Chloride (Cl⁻) | ≤ 0.001 % |
| Sulfate (SO₄²⁻) | ≤ 0.005 % |
| pH (5 % aqueous) | ~ 2.5 – 3.5 (acidic) |
| Melting / Decomposition | ~ 73 °C (hydrate) / decomposes ~135 °C |
| Solubility in water | Very soluble (e.g. ~419 g/L at 20 °C for hydrated form) |
| Density | ~ 1.72 g/cm³ (nonahydrate) |
| Shelf life / Storage | ~ 60 months under proper dry storage |
Forms / Grades Available
- Nonahydrate crystalline solid
- Sometimes in solution form (less common)
- Analytical / reagent / high purity grades
- Industrial grade for less demanding uses
Key Features & Properties
- Highly Soluble and Dissociative – Rapidly dissolves to yield Al³⁺ and NO₃⁻ ions in solution.
- Strong Oxidizing Agent – Due to the nitrate groups, it can act as an oxidizer under certain conditions.
- Acidic Character in Solution – The aqueous solution tends to be acidic (low pH).
- Hygroscopic / Deliquescent – Prone to absorbing moisture, requiring proper dry storage.
- Thermally Unstable – Melts around 73 °C and decomposes near 135 °C.
- Oxidizer Compatibility – Can accelerate burning of combustibles; handle carefully.
Benefits & Advantages
- Dual Ion Source – Supplies aluminium and nitrate ions in one compound.
- High Purity Options – Suitable for precise laboratory and analytical use.
- Catalytic & Reactive Utility – Reagent in nitration, oxidation, and aluminium chemistry.
- Efficient in Small Doses – High reactivity enables low-dosage effectiveness.
- Versatile in Specialty Applications – Valuable in nuclear, textile, and chemical sectors.
- Controlled Residue – Clean decomposition with minimal unwanted residues.
Applications & Use Cases
Analytical & Laboratory Use
- Reagent and standard in chemical analysis.
- Used in precipitation, complexation, and titration reactions.
Textile & Dyeing / Mordanting
- Acts as a mordant to fix dyes on fabrics.
- Improves color fastness during textile processing.
Leather Tanning
- Used as a tanning auxiliary to improve leather quality.
Catalysis / Chemical Synthesis
- In nitration or oxidation of organic compounds.
- Precursor in aluminium oxide or other aluminium compound production.
Metal Surface Treatment
- Acts as a corrosion inhibitor or coating pretreatment.
Electronics / Insulation / Paper Industry
- Used in the production of insulating papers (e.g., for transformer cores).
- Employed in materials for electrical components.
Extraction / Nuclear / Specialty Uses
- Used in uranium extraction and radiochemical processing.
- Intermediate for specialized high-purity chemicals.
Summary
Aluminium Nitrate is a highly functional and reactive inorganic salt, especially in its hydrated nonahydrate form. With the ability to deliver aluminium ions and nitrate simultaneously, it is valuable in laboratory, textile, tanning, catalyst, and specialty chemical processes. Its high solubility, oxidizing capability, and acidic nature make it powerful—but also demand careful handling. High‑purity grades expand its application into analytical and electronic domains.