i have a few pieces of lithium metal that i want to add to my elements collection, but they are covered in black oxides. does anyone know how to
remove this layer?Nicodem - 18-8-2012 at 01:46
I don't know, but the first thing I would try is to wash in isopropanol for half a minute or so. When satisfied, wash with an ether and then petroleum
ether.blogfast25 - 18-8-2012 at 04:22
i have a few pieces of lithium metal that i want to add to my elements collection, but they are covered in black oxides. does anyone know how to
remove this layer?
Ampoule the metal. Removal of the oxides prior to renewed storage under oil is only a temporary measure. Oil is a poor protection against O2.AJKOER - 18-8-2012 at 04:44
Agree with Blogfast25 comments.
However if using oil, Wiki notes that Li is frequently stored under mineral oil.ziqquratu - 18-8-2012 at 05:26
Storing Li under oil is definitely not the ideal option - not least because it tends to float on most mineral oils, given its density. For long term
storage, ampoules are the only real option.
Also note that it reacts with nitrogen, to give lithium nitride. So, for an inert atmosphere when filling/sealing ampoules, you need argon.TheChemINC - 18-8-2012 at 06:06
the pieces are under mineral oil. and they used to be shiny, but like what Blogfast25 said, oil does a terrible job protecting from O2. i was thinking
of putting it in kerosene......blogfast25 - 18-8-2012 at 06:39
the pieces are under mineral oil. and they used to be shiny, but like what Blogfast25 said, oil does a terrible job protecting from O2. i was thinking
of putting it in kerosene......
My potassium is under kerosene and it too turns blackish over time. For element display purposes, only sealed ampoules will do for the alkali metals.
Period.Zan Divine - 18-8-2012 at 20:41
I've posted detailed instructions for the preparation of shiny silver-colored lithium (also Na & K in earlier posts).
I believe these are the cleanest display samples whose preparation is described in detail in this forum. The Na & K are virtually perfect and the
Li is the best I've seen anywhere.
Not everyone has the equipment to perform these operations, though.
Oil is, and always will be, a temporary storage medium.
[Edited on 8/19/2012 by Zan Divine]TheChemINC - 19-8-2012 at 15:06
yeha i have a case of wheaton ampules that i think i will use. it was what i was planning on putting the elements in.elementcollector1 - 24-8-2012 at 12:04
Seeing as I have no idea how to build that stainless steel piston, why not melt the lithium in an upper chamber, and have the molten stuff drip into
cold mineral oil, rescue it when it solidifies, immediately place it in an ampoule full of mineral oil, and seal the ampoule? All that would require
is some sort of stainless steel filter (A strainer would likely work), lots of mineral oil (not too hard to come by), a source of heat, and an
ampoule.
