Synthesis of guncotton
You
will need:
- concentrated sulfuric acid
- concentrated nitric acid
- cotton wool
- gloves
- tongs
- goggles
- 200 ml beaker
Pour 50 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid in a 200 ml beaker. Place the beaker in ice cold water and slowly add 50 ml of nitric acid. Mixing the acids produces a great deal of heat.
Place a handful of cotton
wool in the acid mixture until it is completely submerged. Allow the cotton
wool to stand for 15 minutes.
Remove the guncotton and rinse it thoroughly under cold water.
Allow to dry over a 24 hour period.
Place a small piece of guncotton in an evaporating dish and ignite with
a candle attached to a meter ruler.
Click
to see the reaction. This sample of guncotton, shown in the video, was
not completely dry and therefore the reaction was not complete with solid
products left unreacted.
Notice how the reaction produces gaseous products and very little solid
material.
How is the rate of burning different. Click to see conventional cotton wool burning.
Safety notes
Mixing of acids is highly exothermic
(gives off heat).
Guncotton ignites very easily when exposed to anaked flame. Once prepared
do not store all the material must be used. Guncotton can be kept underwater
indefinitely, but this is not recommended.