Sciencemadness Discussion Board
Not logged in [Login ]
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: Making specific non-metal powders.
Zyklon-A
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1547
Registered: 26-11-2013
Member Is Offline

Mood: Fluorine radical

[*] posted on 20-3-2014 at 10:51
Making specific non-metal powders.


Many times I, and likely many others, find it difficult to make powder that is useful from a less useful material.
Two examples are cellulose powder from any cotton source, and PTFE from Teflon tape. Both of which I need.
How would one go about turning cotton 'balls' into cotton powder? I'm not sure it even possible, but if so, could anyone share their idea's.




View user's profile View All Posts By User
HgDinis25
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 439
Registered: 14-3-2014
Location: Portugal
Member Is Offline

Mood: Who drank my mercury?

[*] posted on 20-3-2014 at 11:26


You can take a look into Schweizer's reagent:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer%27s_reagent
It's generally used to produce rayon (which is far from cellulose powder), but perhaps there's a way to p+recipitate cellulose in the form of a powder.

Some other solvents that may dissolve cellulose are cupriethylenediamine, cadoxen and dimethylformamide.
This is actually an interesting topic, hoping to see the more experienced chemists here, because I don't know much on this topic.
View user's profile Visit user's homepage View All Posts By User
IrC
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 2710
Registered: 7-3-2005
Location: Eureka
Member Is Offline

Mood: Discovering

[*] posted on 20-3-2014 at 13:01


I thought dipping cotton balls in liquid N2 then dropping in a bean grinder might be possible. Strands wrapping around the shaft is an issue. Maybe cotton cloth would be less of a problem. Assuming you can easily get the N2.




"Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts" Richard Feynman
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Zyklon-A
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1547
Registered: 26-11-2013
Member Is Offline

Mood: Fluorine radical

[*] posted on 20-3-2014 at 13:41


Hmm, good idea, or even putting cotton balls in water, taking them out, freezing them, and then put them in the blender on ice crush for a few seconds. I'll give it a try.



View user's profile View All Posts By User
Endo
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 124
Registered: 5-1-2006
Location: USA
Member Is Offline

Mood: Cold

[*] posted on 20-3-2014 at 14:37


You could try HCl.

http://www.sadgurupublications.com/ContentPaper/2009/10_7%28...
View user's profile View All Posts By User
Texium
Administrator
********




Posts: 4581
Registered: 11-1-2014
Location: Salt Lake City
Member Is Offline

Mood: PhD candidate!

[*] posted on 20-3-2014 at 19:01


Haha, top of page 683 "kept it in a heating mental"
Looks like a pretty simple method though. Good ol' HCl!
View user's profile Visit user's homepage View All Posts By User
Zyklon-A
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1547
Registered: 26-11-2013
Member Is Offline

Mood: Fluorine radical

[*] posted on 20-3-2014 at 19:20


Yes, thanks Endo.
Only rarely do I ask a question, and I get an easy, and cheap answer.




View user's profile View All Posts By User
Zyklon-A
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1547
Registered: 26-11-2013
Member Is Offline

Mood: Fluorine radical

[*] posted on 28-3-2014 at 16:30


So, I finally got around to trying the procedure mentioned above to make cellulose powder.
It worked great! Took longer than they said it would though. Also, I found that it happened much faster if it's boiled, perhaps the boiling stirred it, as I lack a magnetic stir bar....
Boiling hydrochloric acid is not something I enjoy doing, but it's quite dilute (~2 molar) and I can move my hot plate easily away from the house.
I definitely suggest doing this, as it's super easy, and very effective.
Cellulose powder is so much better and easier to use. Thanks again Endo.:D

[Edited on 29-3-2014 by Zyklonb]




View user's profile View All Posts By User

  Go To Top