Silver

Latin name: Argentum (meaning – shining)

Symbol: Ag
Atomic number: 47
Atomic mass: 107.86 u
Electronic configuration: [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s1
Valency: 1

Ores of silver:
Argentite (Silver glance) – Ag₂S
Horn silver – AgCl
Ruby silver (Pyrargyrite) – Ag₂Sb₂S₃
Proustite – Ag₃AsS₃
Copper silver glance – Ag₂S·Cu₂S
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 Extraction of Silver from Argentite
The exact method applied for the extraction of silver depends upon the nature of the ore.
However, silver is generally extracted from its sulphide ore (e.g., Argentite, Ag₂S) by the
Cyanide Process.

1. Crushing and Pulverization

The sulphide ore (Ag₂S) is first crushed in a jaw crusher into small pieces and then
pulverized in ball mills or stamp mills into fine powder.

2. Concentration:
The finely powdered sulphide ore is concentrated by the froth floatation process.
 The powdered ore is mixed with water and pine oil.
 Air is blown through the mixture.
 The sulphide ore particles attach to the oil and rise as froth.
 The gangue (earthy impurities) settles at the bottom.
 The froth containing sulphide ore is skimmed off.
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 Extraction of Silver from Argentite
3. Treatment with Sodium Cyanide (Formation of Sodium Argentocyanide)
The concentrated ore is treated with dilute NaCN solution (0.4–0.7%) in the presence of air.
Reaction:
Ag₂S + 4NaCN ⇌ 2Na[Ag(CN)₂] + Na₂S
(Sodium argentocyanide complex)

Since the reaction is reversible, yield is increased by oxidizing Na₂S:

2Na₂S + H₂O + 2O₂ → Na₂S₂O₃ + 2NaOH
2Na₂S + 2H₂O + O₂ → 4NaOH + 2S↓
Na₂S₂O₃ + 2NaOH + 2O₂ → 2Na₂SO₄ + H₂O

4. Precipitation of Silver
The solution containing sodium argentocyanide is treated with zinc scrap.
Zinc displaces silver from the solution:
Zn + 2Na[Ag(CN)₂] → Na₂[Zn(CN)₄] + 2Ag↓
The silver obtained is called Spongy Silver, which is then treated with KNO3. 3
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 Extraction of Silver from Argentite
5. Purification:
A. Electrolytic Refining
The extracted silver still contains impurities like Cu, Zn, and Au.

Anode: Impure silver

Cathode: Pure silver sheet
Electrolyte: AgNO₃ solution acidified with 1% HNO₃

Ionization:
AgNO₃(aq) ⇌ Ag⁺ + NO₃⁻

At Anode: At Cathode:
Ag → Ag⁺ + e⁻ Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag

Impurities like Zn and Cu form soluble nitrates, while Au and Pt settle as anode mud. 4
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 Extraction of Silver from Argentite
5. Purification:
B. Cupellation
 Impure Silver is heated in presence of air (O2) in a cupel
( Cup shaped furnace).
 The impurity gets oxidized while the silver remains in
pure form.
 Oxidized impurities are absorbed by cupel.

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 Uses of Silver
Uses of Silver
 Used in jewellery, coins, and decorative alloys.
 Used for silver plating (mirrors, tableware).
 Silver halides (AgCl, AgBr, AgI) are used in traditional photography.
 Nano silver particles (10–100 nm) are used in:
Conductive inks, Antibacterial and antifungal medicine, Wound dressings
Pigments and cosmetics
 Used as a catalyst in oxidation and dehydrogenation reactions.
 Used in electronics (conductors, electrodes, circuits).
 Used in high-capacity batteries (Ag–Zn, Ag–Cd).
 Alloy of Ag, Sn, and Hg used as dental filling material.

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 Properties of Silver
Physical Properties:
 Appearance: Lustrous, brilliant white metal that can be polished to a high degree.
 Conductivity: Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals.
 Reflectivity: Silver has the highest reflectivity of any element. Polished silver reflects
about 95% of the visible light spectrum, though it is a poor reflector of ultraviolet light.
 Hardness: Relatively soft, measuring 2.5 – 3.0 on the Mohs scale (commonly reported
as around 2.5–3).
 Ductility and Malleability: Extremely malleable and ductile. It can be easily shaped,
drawn into thin wires, or beaten into very thin sheets (silver leaf).
 Density: 10.49 g/cm³ at 20°C.
 Melting Point: Melts at 961.8°C (1234.9 K).
 Boiling Point: Boils at 2162°C (2435 K).
 Magnetism: Diamagnetic (weakly repelled by a magnetic field).

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 Compounds of silver
1. Silver Chloride (AgCl) [Horn Silver]
Preparation
Silver chloride is prepared by adding silver nitrate solution to sodium or potassium chloride
solution (in dark).
NaCl + AgNO₃ → AgCl↓ + NaNO₃
The white precipitate is filtered, washed with distilled water, and dried at about 70°C.

Uses of Silver Chloride

Used in traditional photography.
Used in photochromic lenses.
Used as a reference electrode.
Used in antiseptics and disinfectants.

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 Compounds of silver
2. Silver Nitrate (AgNO₃) – Lunar Caustic
Silver nitrate is an important commercial and laboratory compound.
Preparation
Prepared by dissolving silver in nitric acid:
3Ag + dil. 4HNO₃ → 3AgNO₃ + NO↑ + 2H₂O
Ag + conc. 2HNO3 → AgNO₃ + NO2↑ + H₂O

The solution is evaporated to crystallization point:

AgNO₃(aq) → AgNO₃ (colourless crystals)

Uses of Silver Nitrate

 Laboratory reagent (Tollen’s reagent, silver halides, other silver salts).
 Used in silver plating and silvering of mirrors.
 2% solution used medically for granulated eyelids and hair removal.
 Used for making indelible election ink.
 Used as electrolyte in electro-refining of silver. 9
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 Compounds of silver
Silver Nitrate (AgNO₃) is also k/a Lunar Caustic as it is photosensitive and darkens
slowly in presence of light also when comes in contact with organic substance like
skin or cloth, it produces black stain.

hv
AgNO3 Ag ↓ + NO2 + O2
Organic substance

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 for your attention

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