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Rubidium Carbonate
Rubidium Carbonate
Nano-metal Rubidium
Nano-metal Rubidium
Cesium Metal (Cs)
Cesium Metal (Cs)
Rubidium (Rb)
Rubidium (Rb)
Rubidium Chloride (RbCl)
Rubidium Chloride (RbCl)
Cesium Chloride (CsCl)
Cesium Chloride (CsCl)
Rubidium-87 (⁸⁷Rb)
Rubidium-87 (⁸⁷Rb)
Rubidium-85 (⁸⁵Rb)
Rubidium-85 (⁸⁵Rb)
Ytterbium-176 (¹⁷⁶Yb)
Ytterbium-176 (¹⁷⁶Yb)
Strontium-88 (⁸⁸Sr)
Strontium-88 (⁸⁸Sr)
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Rubidium (Rb).jpg

High-Quality Rubidium (Rb) Suppliers and Factory in China - Alkali Metal for Industrial Use

Rubidium (Rb) is an essential alkali metal with an atomic number of 37, classified in Group IA of the periodic table and found in the fifth period. This silvery-white soft metal has unique properties, including a density of 1.532 g/cm³ at 20°C, a melting point of 39.31°C, and a boiling point of 688°C. Characterized by its electronic configuration of [Kr]5s¹, rubidium exhibits strong reducing properties with a standard electrode potential (E°) of -2.98 V. It is highly reactive, oxidizing quickly and spontaneously igniting in air. Additionally, rubidium reacts vigorously with water, producing hydrogen gas and rubidium hydroxide (RbOH). As a leading manufacturer and supplier of rubidium in China, our factory ensures high-quality production standards to meet global demand
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    Isotopes and nuclear properties

    Natural rubidium consists of two isotopes: Rb-85 (stable, abundance 72.17%) and radioactive Rb-87 (abundance 27.83%, half-life 4.88×10¹⁰ years, β decay to produce stable Sr-87). The spin quantum number of Rb-87 is I=3/2, and its hyperfine structure transition frequency (6,834,682,610.904 Hz) is the physical basis of rubidium atomic clocks.

    Preparation and storage

    Rubidium metal is prepared industrially by vacuum thermal reduction: rubidium chloride (RbCl) is used as raw material, and metal calcium or magnesium is used as reducing agent, and reacts under high temperature (700–800℃) and low pressure (<0.1 Pa) conditions.

    Rubidium needs to be stored in a dry inert atmosphere (such as argon) or mineral oil to avoid contact with oxygen and water.

    Key applications

    Atomic clocks and precision timing
    The microwave transition of Rb-87 is used in secondary rubidium atomic clocks (accuracy 10⁻¹¹–10⁻¹²), which are widely used in GPS, communication synchronization and financial transaction systems.
    Quantum technology
    Rubidium vapor (especially Rb-85 and Rb-87) is a common medium for Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) experiments, and is used for cold atomic physics and quantum simulation research.
    Optoelectronic materials
    Rubidium compounds (such as RbTiOPO₄) have nonlinear optical properties and are used for laser frequency conversion.
    Medical imaging
    Rb-82 (half-life 1.27 minutes) is used as a tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) for myocardial perfusion detection.

    Safety and toxicity

    Rubidium metal is a hazardous chemical (UN No. 1423), and its corrosiveness and flammability require strict protection. Experimental operations must be carried out in an inert atmosphere glove box, and waste materials must be slowly passivated with isopropanol or ethanol.

    Conclusion

    As an element with both basic research value and high-tech applications, rubidium continues to play a unique role in precision measurement, quantum engineering, and nuclear medicine. Its special physical and chemical properties, especially the atomic properties related to time standards, make it an indispensable functional material for modern science and technology.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the natural isotopes of rubidium?

    Natural rubidium consists of two isotopes: stable Rb-85, which has an abundance of 72.17%, and radioactive Rb-87, which has an abundance of 27.83%.

    Why is Rb-87 important for atomic clocks?

    Rb-87 has a spin quantum number of I=3/2 and a highly stable hyperfine structure transition frequency of 6,834,682,610.904 Hz, which serves as the physical foundation for precision timing in rubidium atomic clocks.

    How is rubidium metal prepared industrially?

    It is produced through vacuum thermal reduction, reacting rubidium chloride (RbCl) with metal calcium or magnesium under high temperatures (700–800℃) and low pressure (<0.1 Pa) conditions.

    How should rubidium metal be safely stored?

    To prevent hazardous reactions with oxygen and water, rubidium must be stored in a dry inert atmosphere, such as argon gas, or completely submerged in mineral oil.

    What medical imaging applications does rubidium have?

    The isotope Rb-82, which has a short half-life of 1.27 minutes, is utilized as a radioactive tracer in positron emission tomography (PET) scans for myocardial perfusion imaging.

    What are the safety hazards of handling rubidium?

    Rubidium is a highly corrosive and flammable hazardous chemical (UN No. 1423). It must be handled inside an inert atmosphere glove box, and any waste must be slowly passivated using isopropanol or ethanol.

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