Crystals and Organic Compounds

Hi,

I just finished growing a crystal of potassium nickel sulfate and I was wondering, would dipping it in an organic compound such as glycerol, hexane or benzene prevent it from drying out and be touchable without irritating the skin? I heard people saying that this can be done instead of covering the crystal with clear nail polish. Is this true? I don't want to use nail polish since you can see the brush strokes on the crystal. Also, if this is true, can you recommend me a liquid organic compound to cover the crystal with?

Thanks

[Edited on 28-7-2016 by 7lanthanum]

Quote: Originally posted by Loptr

From what I have gathered, nickel compounds aren't something you necessarily want to handle, or least that is my impression from my readings. I don't know about the double salt, though. Something like this might work. Clear Acrylic Spray Paint http://www.michaels.com/krylon-acrylic-crystal-clear/1052010...

Quote: Originally posted by zts16

To answer your question, no. Applying a volatile organic solvent such as hexane or benzene would do nothing, because it would simply evaporate. Glycerol would not stick to the crystal and wouldn't dry to form a protective layer. I think that Loptr's suggestion is actually exactly what you're looking for. It provides the same function as colorless nail polish (a protective clear coat preventing skin contact with the actual crystal) and avoids undesirable brush marks. Linseed oil may be another possibility, though that would come with the side-effect of making everything that you coat with it fluorescent!

Well, that's not the only product that is capable of applying a clear coat without brush marks.

Where at in Europe are you located? I picked the UK as an example. If you can't find what you need through Google, paint store, arts and crafts shop, then I don't know how else to help you. Clear acrylic spray paint isn't only available in the USA.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3...

I also tend to post replies to help give the original poster some ideas, as I might not have an exact solution, but a pretty good idea of what might work. The clear acrylic spray paint was my suggestion, not the specific product I posted.

[Edited on 29-7-2016 by Loptr]

Quote: Originally posted by 7lanthanum

Hi, I just finished growing a crystal of potassium nickel sulfate and I was wondering, would dipping it in an organic compound such as glycerol, hexane or benzene prevent it from drying out and be touchable without irritating the skin? I heard people saying that this can be done instead of covering the crystal with clear nail polish. Is this true? I don't want to use nail polish since you can see the brush strokes on the crystal. Also, if this is true, can you recommend me a liquid organic compound to cover the crystal with? Thanks [Edited on 28-7-2016 by 7lanthanum]

I'm going to try that. Thanks

[Edited on 29-7-2016 by 7lanthanum]

OK, KNi sulfate but what Ni sulfate (II) or (III) ?

Not all people are allergic to Ni...to bad Europe has used that argument to reduce the Ni amount into coins...in Belgium we had, before the Euro coins, a beautiful 50FB (Belgian Franc) coin of 7g pure silvery Nickel (2 cm diameter and about 2.5 mm thickness) ...I made use of it a lot for my chem experiments involving Nickel...now those days are gone, you have to extract Ni form 1 Euro or 2 Euro coins and separate it from the other metals or to buy directly Ni salts.

Aceton may solubilize your salt so make a tiny test with a little cristal.

You could make a protective layer with aceton polystyrene (from many food packages (youghourt for example) or from styrofoam /frigolite what is expanded polystyrene)...if aceton is unsuitable, you could use toluene.

Quote: Originally posted by PHILOU Zrealone

OK, KNi sulfate but what Ni sulfate (II) or (III) ?

Quote: Originally posted by DraconicAcid

Quote: Originally posted by PHILOU Zrealone   OK, KNi sulfate but what Ni sulfate (II) or (III) ? Ni(III) is very unstable. I doubt it forms a sulphate, and if it does, it's not going to be stable in aqueous solution.

What would be its decomposition products?
I don't see an oxydoredox happening from Ni⁽³⁺⁾ and H₂O or SO₄^(2-) so you propose Ni(OH)₃ and H₂SO₄?

Quote: Originally posted by PHILOU Zrealone

Quote: Originally posted by DraconicAcid   Quote: Originally posted by PHILOU Zrealone   OK, KNi sulfate but what Ni sulfate (II) or (III) ? Ni(III) is very unstable. I doubt it forms a sulphate, and if it does, it's not going to be stable in aqueous solution. What would be its decomposition products? I don't see an oxydoredox happening from Ni(3+) and H2O or SO4(2-) so you propose Ni(OH)3 and H2SO4?

Quote: Originally posted by PHILOU Zrealone

OK, KNi sulfate but what Ni sulfate (II) or (III) ? Not all people are allergic to Ni...to bad Europe has used that argument to reduce the Ni amount into coins...in Belgium we had, before the Euro coins, a beautiful 50FB (Belgian Franc) coin of 7g pure silvery Nickel (2 cm diameter and about 2.5 mm thickness) ...I made use of it a lot for my chem experiments involving Nickel...now those days are gone, you have to extract Ni form 1 Euro or 2 Euro coins and separate it from the other metals or to buy directly Ni salts. Aceton may solubilize your salt so make a tiny test with a little cristal. You could make a protective layer with aceton polystyrene (from many food packages (youghourt for example) or from styrofoam /frigolite what is expanded polystyrene)...if aceton is unsuitable, you could use toluene.