Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Boothy on April 28, 2009, 04:33:52 PM

Title: How do I stop salts crystalizing when I dry them?
Post by: Boothy on April 28, 2009, 04:33:52 PM
Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help. Im trying to make monolithic "lumps" of simple inorganic chemicals without them crystalizing. Is this possible? Anyone know how to go about it?

For instance I would like to get a 5mm cube of copper sulphate without a crystal structure.

Thanks for any suggestions in advance.

Dr B
Title: Re: How do I stop salts crystalizing when I dry them?
Post by: Mitch on April 28, 2009, 05:21:34 PM
You have got to be one of the few chemists who do not want their salts to crystallize prettily. I would do the following. Boil your solvent off quickly, mechanically agitate it while still drying.
Title: Re: How do I stop salts crystalizing when I dry them?
Post by: typhoon2028 on May 04, 2009, 08:26:47 AM
You need to try to make an amorphous solid.

Try making the salt molten, and cooling it very fast.

An amorphous solid of copper sulfate may be difficult to achieve.  Copper sulfate is a common material used to demonstrate crystal growth.
Title: Re: How do I stop salts crystalizing when I dry them?
Post by: urvashi314 on May 05, 2009, 08:29:30 AM
add some impurity. ex. dilute H2SO4