copperastic - 15-3-2014 at 09:50
Hello, I was doing an experiment making copper carbonate like 6 weeks ago and when i was done there was some copper carbonate left in a beaker. I
waited to clean it (A bad decision) and now theres brown stuff thats impossible to get off on it. I have tried using vinegar, water, ethanol/methanol,
and a soup solution. If you have had this problem and have found a way to clean it please tell me how.
Thanks
HgDinis25 - 15-3-2014 at 09:55
The brown deposit is most likely Copper (II) Oxide, resulting from the decomposition of the carbonate.
Just use a concentrated acid solution, like hydrochloric acid, and it will probably dissolve. If it doesn't try heating the solution. Solvents like
alcohols and water are uneffective with oxides.
If you don't have any concentrated acids, try using vinegar but this time heat it to boiling.
copperastic - 15-3-2014 at 10:11
Ok thank you ill try that with HCl.