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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

Rubidium (Rb) from China: High-Quality Suppliers and Factory Direct Pricing for Alkali Metals

Rubidium (Rb) is an essential alkali metal with an atomic number of 37, positioned in Group IA of the periodic table and the fifth period. This silvery-white, soft metal boasts a density of 1.532 g/cm³ at 20°C, a melting point of 39.31°C, and a boiling point of 688°C. With an electronic configuration of [Kr]5s¹, rubidium is known for its strong reducing properties (standard electrode potential E° = -2.98 V). It is highly reactive, oxidizing rapidly and can ignite spontaneously in the air. When exposed to water, rubidium reacts violently, producing hydrogen and rubidium hydroxide (RbOH). As a leading supplier and factory of high-quality rubidium in China, we ensure our products meet the highest standards for various industrial applications
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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

    Preparation Process

    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.

    Storage Requirements

    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% and a half-life of 4.88×10¹⁰ years.

    How is rubidium metal prepared industrially?

    Rubidium metal is prepared through vacuum thermal reduction. Rubidium chloride (RbCl) is reduced using calcium or magnesium at high temperatures (700–800℃) and under low pressure conditions (<0.1 Pa).

    Why is Rb-87 used in atomic clocks?

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

    What are the primary applications of Rubidium?

    Rubidium is mainly used in atomic clocks for GPS and telecommunications, quantum research (Bose-Einstein condensation), optoelectronic materials (laser frequency conversion), and medical PET imaging as a tracer (Rb-82).

    How should rubidium metal be safely stored and handled?

    Rubidium is a highly corrosive and flammable hazardous chemical (UN No. 1423). It must be stored in a dry inert atmosphere (like argon) or mineral oil, handled inside an inert glove box, and passivated slowly using isopropanol or ethanol for waste disposal.

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