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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) Suppliers in China - High-Quality Factory Direct Alkali Metal

Rubidium (Rb) is a highly reactive alkali metal characterized by its atomic number 3As a member of Group IA in the fifth period of the periodic table, this silvery-white soft metal exhibits a density of 1.532 g/cm³ at 20°C, a melting point of 39.31°C, and a boiling point of 688°C. Its electronic configuration is [Kr]5s¹, indicating its strong reducing properties with a standard electrode potential of E° = -2.98 V. Rubidium oxidizes quickly and can ignite spontaneously in the air, reacting explosively with water to produce hydrogen and rubidium hydroxide (RbOH). As a trusted Supplier and Factory of rubidium in China, we provide high-quality rubidium suitable for various industrial applications
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    Product Details

    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

    Q1 What isotopes make up natural 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.
    Q2 Why is Rb-87 used in atomic clocks?
    The spin quantum number of Rb-87 is I=3/2, and its hyperfine structure transition frequency is 6,834,682,610.904 Hz. This specific frequency serves as the physical basis for secondary rubidium atomic clocks.
    Q3 How is rubidium metal industrially prepared?
    It is prepared through vacuum thermal reduction. Rubidium chloride (RbCl) is used as the raw material, and metal calcium or magnesium acts as the reducing agent. The reaction takes place under high temperature (700–800℃) and low pressure (<0.1 Pa) conditions.
    Q4 What are the storage requirements for rubidium?
    To prevent contact with oxygen and water, rubidium must be stored in a dry inert atmosphere (such as argon gas) or submerged in mineral oil.
    Q5 What is Rb-82 used for in medicine?
    Rb-82, which has a short half-life of 1.27 minutes, is utilized as a tracer in positron emission tomography (PET) for myocardial perfusion detection.
    Q6 What safety measures are required when handling rubidium?
    Rubidium is a corrosive and flammable hazardous chemical (UN No. 1423). Operations must be performed in an inert atmosphere glove box, and any waste materials must be slowly passivated using isopropanol or ethanol.

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