Pin - 21-8-2019 at 06:11
Hello,
I'm quite new to science and have just got to amalgams and such. Now I was reading about the use of amalgams in reductions. Aluminum amalgams in
particular. Most resources I've read use just the term aluminum and give the weight. Some go as far as to specify aluminum foil (Youtube content
creators) with descriptions of the size of the pieces of foil and all.
I read that surface area is a factor in the reaction so I imagine that powdered aluminum, like used in painting and such could fit even better than
cut up pieces of an ingot or foil.
Can someone set me straight?
MrHomeScientist - 21-8-2019 at 06:49
The surface area of the starting aluminum would only affect the speed of amalgam formation. It would take longer for the mercury (or gallium, or
whatever) to permeate a solid ingot than to dissolve foil or powder. On the other hand, powder will have a lot of oxide surface area to break through.
Not sure if that would make a difference.
karlos³ - 22-8-2019 at 00:51
Best for Al/Hg are tiny grains, they make the whole reduction pretty standard and reliable.