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Silver compounds

Silver chloride , CAS 7783-90-6

AgClMW 143.32 g/mol75.3% AgMade in Dublin, Ireland

Synonyms: Silver(I) chloride; Silver monochloride; Chlorargyrite; Cerargyrite; AgCl

Also known as: Silberchlorid (German); Cloruro de plata (Spanish); Chlorure d'argent (French); Cloruro d'argento (Italian); Zilverchloride (Dutch)

GHS09
Environment

Overview

A white, water-insoluble, photosensitive silver halide: the electrode material of every Ag/AgCl reference system and a classic component of photographic emulsions, photochromic glass and infrared optics.

Silver chloride is a white, water-insoluble, photosensitive solid that darkens on exposure to light. It is the active layer of Ag/AgCl reference electrodes and pH and ion-selective reference systems, a light-sensitive component of photographic emulsions and photochromic glass, an infrared-transmitting window material, and an antimicrobial agent in coatings and textiles. Approximately 75.3% silver by mass; supplied as a free-flowing powder with lot-specific assay.

Application areas

Typical applications of silver chloride

The largest technical use of silver chloride is electrochemical. The silver/silver chloride couple is the reference electrode of choice for pH meters, ion-selective electrodes, electrophysiology and corrosion monitoring, and silver chloride powder is used to make the pressed and sintered Ag/AgCl pellets, the pastes for screen-printed reference electrodes, and the anodically chloridised coatings on silver wire. Mixed with silver sulfide and pressed, it forms the sensing membrane of chloride ion-selective electrodes.

In photographic science silver chloride is the light-sensitive phase of chloride and chlorobromide printing emulsions, and dispersed as microcrystals doped with copper(I) it gives photochromic glass its reversible darkening. Because it transmits from the visible well into the infrared (roughly 0.4–25 µm), pressed silver chloride is also used for infrared windows and sample cells where moisture rules out the alkali halides.

Silver chloride is a well-defined, slow-release source of silver ions, which is why it appears in antimicrobial coatings and textile finishes and as the silver phase of silver/silver chloride plasmonic photocatalysts. In analytical chemistry it is the gravimetric form in which chloride and silver are weighed, and a dried, fine silver chloride powder is a convenient standard for method development.

Specification

Product nameSilver chloride
SynonymsSilver(I) chloride; Silver monochloride; Chlorargyrite; Cerargyrite; AgCl
Molecular formulaAgCl
CAS number7783-90-6
Molecular weight143.32 g/mol
MetalSilver (Ag)
Metal content75.3% Ag by mass (nominal; lot assay on the CoA)
Purity / grade≥99.9% (metals basis); Ag ≥ 74.5%
AppearanceWhite crystalline powder; turns violet-grey on exposure to light
SolubilityPractically insoluble in water (about 1.9 mg per litre at 25 °C) and insoluble in dilute acids and ethanol. Dissolves in aqueous ammonia, in concentrated hydrochloric acid and chloride brines (as [AgCl₂]⁻), and in alkali cyanide and thiosulfate solutions.
Melting point455 °C; boils at about 1547 °C without decomposition.
Density5.56 g/cm³
OpticalTransmits from about 0.4 µm to 25 µm; refractive index about 2.07 at 589 nm.
Light sensitivityTurns violet-grey on exposure to light as a trace of metallic silver forms on the surface; the change is cosmetic for most uses.
StorageStore tightly closed in an amber container in a dry place. Protect from light.
Pack sizes25 g, 100 g, 500 g
Country of originIreland (manufactured in Dublin)

Solubility, melting point and density are literature values for the pure compound and are given for guidance; purity, silver assay and appearance are measured on each lot and reported on its certificate of analysis.

Handling and storage

  • Low acute toxicity; the classification (H410) reflects toxicity to aquatic life. Avoid raising dust and collect silver residues for recovery.
  • Protect from light. Keep in the original amber container, tightly closed, in a dry place. Photodarkening is superficial but can matter for optical and photographic work, so open the container in subdued light.
  • Silver chloride dissolves in ammonia solution; such solutions must not be stored or allowed to evaporate because they can deposit explosive silver nitride.
  • Fine silver chloride can cold-weld under pressure (which is how pellets and windows are pressed); clean dies and spatulas promptly.
  • Not regulated as dangerous goods in our pack sizes (UN3077 small-quantity exemption, ADR SP 375 / IATA A197): ships by standard courier.

Hazard classification (CLP / GHS)

GHS09
Environment
Signal wordWarning
Hazard statements
  • H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
  • P273 Avoid release to the environment.
  • P391 Collect spillage.
  • P501 Dispose of contents/container to an approved waste disposal plant.
TransportUN3077, Class 9, PG III. Our pack sizes fall within the small-quantity exemption (ADR SP 375 / IATA A197) and ship by standard courier without a dangerous-goods surcharge.

Classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP). The safety data sheet issued with each lot is the authoritative source; where this page and the SDS differ, follow the SDS. For research and industrial use only. Not for human, veterinary, food or cosmetic use.

Documents

Safety data sheet (SDS)

The current SDS for Silver chloride is supplied with every quotation and shipment. Request a copy.

Certificate of analysis (CoA)

Issued per lot with silver assay. Enter the lot number from your label.

Find a CoA

Frequently asked questions

The powder has a violet or grey tint. Does it matter?

The tint is a trace of metallic silver produced by light on the surface of the crystals; it does not change the bulk composition or the silver assay. For reference electrodes, antimicrobial formulations and most synthesis it is irrelevant. For photographic emulsions and optical pellets, where photolytic silver can act as nucleation sites or scattering centres, handle the powder under safelight conditions and store it in the dark.

How can I dissolve silver chloride?

It is effectively insoluble in water and dilute acids, but it dissolves in 2–6 M aqueous ammonia as the diamminesilver(I) complex, in concentrated hydrochloric acid or strong chloride brines as the dichloroargentate ion, and in sodium thiosulfate or alkali cyanide solutions. Ammonia is the usual choice for recovery and recrystallisation; acidifying the ammoniacal solution re-precipitates pure silver chloride.

Can I make Ag/AgCl reference electrode pellets from this powder?

Yes. Pressed Ag/AgCl pellets are made from an intimate mixture of silver and silver chloride powders (often around 90:10 by mass) compacted at high pressure and sintered below the melting point of silver chloride, or from silver chloride alone pressed onto a silver wire. The powder is also suitable for screen-printed reference-electrode pastes when milled with a binder. Keep chloride and bromide impurities low, which the metals-basis specification and the lot certificate address.

Why is the silver content 75.3% if the purity is 99.9%?

Silver chloride (143.32 g/mol) is 75.3% silver by mass when pure; the remainder is chloride. The 99.9% figure is purity on a metals basis, i.e. silver as a fraction of all metals present. Our minimum silver assay is 74.5%, and the actual value for each lot is on its certificate of analysis.

Ordering, shipping and documentation
What is the CAS number of silver chloride?

Silver chloride has CAS Registry Number 7783-90-6. Its formula is AgCl (143.32 g/mol) and it contains about 75.3% silver by mass.

How is silver chloride priced?

Pack prices are linked to the live silver spot price: silver content × spot €/g, plus a fixed fee per pack for manufacture, packaging and the certificate of analysis. The price shown is indicative and confirmed on your quotation; it excludes VAT and shipping.

Is silver chloride classed as dangerous goods for shipping?

No surcharge applies. Silver chloride is UN3077 (class 9) but our pack sizes fall within the small-quantity exemption (ADR SP 375 / IATA A197), so it ships by standard courier.

Do you supply a certificate of analysis and SDS for silver chloride?

Yes. Every lot ships with a lot-specific certificate of analysis including silver assay, and the current safety data sheet is available on this page and on request. Lot certificates can also be retrieved by lot number from our CoA lookup.

Where do you ship silver chloride?

We ship from Dublin to Ireland (from €12.00) and to all EU member states (from €25.00), plus Northern Ireland. For research and industrial use only; business customers only.

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