I'm am an alternative process photographer. Meaning I use 19th century formulas to create my prints. I also like to tie my prints to where they were captured. For example, I captured the image below on the bank of the Arno river. I then collected a gallon or so of water from the Arno and used it when I mixed the sensitizer and during the development process.
This is a VanDyke print. The formula I used was a 9% solution of ferric ammonium citrate, 1.5% tartaric acid, and 4% silver nitrate.
I wish to take this a step further and want to source my own metals. My darkroom is fairly well equipped and I know how to make my own silver nitrate but I need help in synthesizing ferric ammonium citrate (green form).
There are two sources of iron I wish to use in some future projects. One will be easier to use than the other.
The first I wish to use is a sample of Campo del Cielo meteorite (92.9% Fe, 6.7% Ni, 0.4% Co) the other is ironsand (Fe3O4).
Wikipedia is kind enough to provide the ratios of materials found in ferric ammonium citrate--
the green form is approximately 7.5% NH3, 14.5-16% Fe, and 75% hydrated citric acid. It can be prepared by adding Fe(OH)2 to an aqueous solution of citric acid and ammonia.So, I guess my first question is how does one turn Fe into Iron(II) and the second is how does one turn Fe3O4 into iron(II)?
I am well aware that I will be dealing with toxic fumes and have access to a fume hood.
Many thanks,
--Allen