Difference between revisions of "Crystal growing"
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'''Crystal growing''' is the hobby of producing [[crystals]] of various compounds. Crystals may be grown for other purposes, such as X-ray crystallography, but the amateur chemist is often interested in the aesthetic appeal. | '''Crystal growing''' is the hobby of producing [[crystals]] of various compounds. Crystals may be grown for other purposes, such as X-ray crystallography, but the amateur chemist is often interested in the aesthetic appeal. | ||
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| + | Crystal growing can also be used for obtaining very pure chemical compounds. | ||
==Recommended compounds== | ==Recommended compounds== | ||
===Beginner=== | ===Beginner=== | ||
| + | * [[Copper(II) sulfate]] crystals can be grown from supersaturated solution. CuSO<sub>4</sub> crystals are the most popular in crystal growing. | ||
* [[Iodine]] can be sublimed in a closed vessel, and it will form deposits of purple to black crystals in the vessel when cooled. These crystals are small and fragile, but highly presentable. (orthorhombic, Cmca) | * [[Iodine]] can be sublimed in a closed vessel, and it will form deposits of purple to black crystals in the vessel when cooled. These crystals are small and fragile, but highly presentable. (orthorhombic, Cmca) | ||
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===Intermediate=== | ===Intermediate=== | ||
| + | * [[Sodium chloride]] is somewhat difficult to grow in large crystals due to the fact that its solubility is only slightly affected by the temperature. However | ||
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| + | * [[Sulfur]] crystals can be grown from hot [[toluene]] or [[xylene]]. [[Carbon disulfide]] can also be used as a solvent, though it's harder to find than the former two. | ||
* [[Terbium acetate]] crystals are colorless but fluoresce bright green under ultraviolet light. (triclinic, P-1) | * [[Terbium acetate]] crystals are colorless but fluoresce bright green under ultraviolet light. (triclinic, P-1) | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | ===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ||
| + | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=5529 Crystal Growing] | ||
[[Category:Techniques]] | [[Category:Techniques]] | ||
Revision as of 18:22, 25 August 2016
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Crystal growing is the hobby of producing crystals of various compounds. Crystals may be grown for other purposes, such as X-ray crystallography, but the amateur chemist is often interested in the aesthetic appeal.
Crystal growing can also be used for obtaining very pure chemical compounds.
Contents
Recommended compounds
Beginner
- Copper(II) sulfate crystals can be grown from supersaturated solution. CuSO4 crystals are the most popular in crystal growing.
- Iodine can be sublimed in a closed vessel, and it will form deposits of purple to black crystals in the vessel when cooled. These crystals are small and fragile, but highly presentable. (orthorhombic, Cmca)
- Phthalic anhydride forms wiry, needle-like crystals when the vapor is allowed to condense. Phthalic acid can be used, and this will form phthalic anhydride in the process. Thicker crystals can be grown from a melt. (orthorhombic, Pna21)
- Salicylic acid crystals form rapidly when a methanolic solution is diluted with water. These crystals can grow to impressive sizes. (monoclinic, P21/c)
- Sucrose can be used to grow rock candy. (monoclinic, P21)
Intermediate
- Sodium chloride is somewhat difficult to grow in large crystals due to the fact that its solubility is only slightly affected by the temperature. However
- Sulfur crystals can be grown from hot toluene or xylene. Carbon disulfide can also be used as a solvent, though it's harder to find than the former two.
- Terbium acetate crystals are colorless but fluoresce bright green under ultraviolet light. (triclinic, P-1)
