Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Removal of superfine copper particles from stir bar

Draeger - 1-7-2020 at 16:36

Today I got some superfine copper particles stuck in the Teflon coating of the stir bar and it doesn't go off by a paper towel or scratching, and I have no nitric acid.

Is there any other way to remove them?

Ubya - 1-7-2020 at 16:41

Quote: Originally posted by Draeger  
Today I got some superfine copper particles stuck in the Teflon coating of the stir bar and it doesn't go off by a paper towel or scratching, and I have no nitric acid.

Is there any other way to remove them?


acetic acid + H2O2
HCl + H2O2
H2SO4 + H2O2

any acid and an oxidizer pretty much

Draeger - 1-7-2020 at 17:03

Quote: Originally posted by Ubya  
Quote: Originally posted by Draeger  
Today I got some superfine copper particles stuck in the Teflon coating of the stir bar and it doesn't go off by a paper towel or scratching, and I have no nitric acid.

Is there any other way to remove them?


acetic acid + H2O2
HCl + H2O2
H2SO4 + H2O2

any acid and an oxidizer pretty much

Oh wow, didn't think it'd be that easy. Thanks.

I know what the other two reaction products with H2O2 are, but what does acetic acid and H2O2 make?

Syn the Sizer - 1-7-2020 at 18:22

I believe it is just a solution of H2O2 and acetic acid. The H2O2 helps produce an oxide layer for the acid to attack.

[Edited on 2-7-2020 by Syn the Sizer]

symboom - 1-7-2020 at 22:27

Everyone is forgetting ammonia and air by shaking them in solution to make them soluble in ammonia as a complex nice and cheapest.

[Edited on 2-7-2020 by symboom]

[Edited on 2-7-2020 by symboom]