Nitric acid is used to make things like dyes and high explosives.The caustic, colorless liquid can be produced on an industrial scale using highly specialized chemical processes and equipment.It is possible to make nitric acid in various purities with common laboratory materials, such as nitrate salts, sulfuric acid, and copper.Before handling corrosive substances, be sure to wear the proper safety gear.You will be prepared in the event of an accident if you brush up on your lab safety procedures.
Step 1: 80 grams of nitrate salt can be dissolved in 50 liters of water.
Take your nitrate salt and put it into a container.All of the water should be poured at once.The mixture should be swirled around inside the container.It is important to use distilled water.The acid in tap water can be thrown off by traces of other chemicals.For the purposes of the experiment, it will be easiest to use either sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate.All of these chemicals can be found at any online chemistry supply store.Some chemistry supply stores only sell to institutions.Unless you have a teacher or supervisor order them on your behalf, it will be hard for you to get your hands on the items you need.
Step 2: Add 100 liters of acid.
Measure the acid in a graduated cylinder to make sure you use the right amount.Taking caution, transfer the acid to the nitrate salt solution carefully.To mix your chemical components, swirl the contents of the container again.The price for a bottle of concentrated hydrochloric acid is $1.It is a good idea to set up your equipment in a well-ventilated open area, as your test materials will emit strong fumes when brought into contact with the acid.
Step 3: The second container should hold 50 liters of water.
To cover the bottom of the second container, pour in just enough water.Make sure that the container is big enough to hold your test materials, because you will be using it to nest your mixing container.The second container should be slightly taller than the mixing container.If you want to leave a sufficient amount of space for your mixing container, place it in a 1,000 mL beaker.
Step 4: The larger container should be placed at the bottom of your mixing container.
The container should be placed in the shallow water.Make sure that the water is still exposed on all sides of the container.If it is, find a bigger container to hold it.
Step 5: Add at least 32 grams of copper to the acid mixture.
It is possible to use laboratory-grade 99% pure copper.When weighing the pellets, make sure to weigh the container first and subtract its weight from the final reading.Dump the copper into your container when you have a minimum of 32 grams.You can use copper chips, wire, or even coins if you can't find copper pellets.The acid mixture will mostly destroy the copper, so you won't get it back.The oxidation reaction needs copper to start.
Step 6: Wait about an hour after covering the container with a separate container.
The nitrogen dioxide will be trapped in the third container.The nitric acid will come out of the mixing container and bubble up through the water in the holding container.A beaker that is one or two sizes up should fit over your container.If it is made of glass, you could use a mason jar.It is possible to rest a heavy object, such as a book or piece of scrap wood, over the container to keep it from bobbing as the escaping gas forces it upwards.The nitric acid will only be around 40% pure.You will need nitrate salts and sulfuric acid to make higher-purity acid.
Step 7: Take 80 grams of pure potassium nitrate and put it in a boiling flask.
nitric acid is produced with the highest degree of purity by the mixture of potassium nitrate and sulfuric acid.To portion out an exact amount of nitrate salt, use a scale.It is important to account for the weight of your container.This experiment requires a round- bottom boiling flask.The curved surface and tapered mouth of the flask will prevent the evaporated nitric acid from escaping.If you have them you can use them, but the purity of the resulting acid may be lower.
Step 8: The amount of concentrated sulfuric acid to be added is 60–65 liters.
A plastic funnel is used to pour the acid into the boiling flask.If you don't have a funnel, you can use a dropper tool to measure liquid.Gloves and safety goggles are required for working under a fume hood or in a well-ventilated outdoor space.The higher the purity of your acid, the better.Weakened nitric acid can be caused by using sulfuric acid that has beenDiluted with water.
Step 9: An empty glass container and a condenser are needed.
The still head should be inserted into the mouth of the boiling flask.The stillhead's stem needs to be connected to a tube.The empty container should be opened over the lower end of the condenser.You can get a basic distillation kit from any chemistry supply store.Make sure that the stoppers on your apparatus are secure.It is possible for harmful fumes to leak out if they are not.
Step 10: The acid mixture needs to be heated for about an hour.
Sit back and watch the magic happen when you turn on your burner or hot plate.As the acid mixture gets hotter, the nitrate salt and sulfuric acid will react to produce nitric acid.The nitric acid will be cooled into small droplets that will drain into the empty container.If you have a thermometer, put it into the top of the stillhead and keep an eye on it while the acid mixture is on the heat source.The boiling flask should ideally stay around the boiling point of the acid, which is 337 C.As the concentrated nitric acid collects, you may see a greenish hue.This is a side-effect of hydrogen dioxide pollution.The acid is pure enough to be used for a variety of purposes.
Step 11: To test the purity of nitric acid, blow air on it.
Take a length of rubber tubing or a plastic drinking straw and place one end inside the mouth of the boiling flask.Blow into the other end.The acid will give off pale yellow fumes as you blow.If your nitric acid has a purity greater than 80%, there will be substantial fuming.If you inhale the fumes, you can be referred to as "fuming nitric acid."It could cause serious irritation to your airways.Before you test your nitric acid, take off your latex or nitrile gloves.It may sound counterintuitive, but pure nitric acid can cause latex and nitrile to burst into flames.