Copper carbonate is the name given to a blue-green powder that is used as a colorant in paints and fireworks, as a fungicide and algaecide used to keep home aquariums clean and is found in trace amounts in animal feeds. To create this substance, you will need to create a solution that combines aqueous sodium carbonate heptahydrate and aqueous copper sulfate; it will precipitate out of this solution if you have completed the process correctly.
Step 1: Weigh out 100 grams of sodium carbonate heptahydrate using a set of accurate scales. Then, weigh out 100 grams of copper sulfate, using the same set of scales and cleaning to prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Place the sulfate in a 500 milliliter beaker and add around 200 milliliters of hot tap water. Swirl to combine the liquids adequately.
Step 3: Place the heptahydrate into a beaker and add around 200 milliliters of room temperature water. Stir until it dissolves (you may also slightly heat it).
Step 4: Line a funnel with some filter paper and place it over the top of an empty beaker. Set this aside for later use.
Step 5: Stir the heptahydrate solution into the beaker with the sulfate solution using a glass stick. Leave to stand for a period of between 1 and 12 hours, making sure that you agitate the mixture periodically. The copper carbonate should form and drop out.
Step 6: Pour the solution into the empty beaker through the funnel, making sure that you keep the carbonate suspended. If you let it pass through the funnel, you are wasting the precious substance.
Step 7: Leave the solution to stand for another 12 hours, then filter again through a fresh filter, making sure that you keep the carbonate suspended.
Once you are finished, you should have completely separated the solution and the copper carbonate. If you plan on letting the mixture sit overnight, you can keep it agitated by placing the beaker gently onto a shaker. Because you are working with potentially dangerous chemicals, it is important that you wear safety goggles and gloves whenever you are working with the solution, just in case you spill it.
Step 1: Weigh out 100 grams of sodium carbonate heptahydrate using a set of accurate scales. Then, weigh out 100 grams of copper sulfate, using the same set of scales and cleaning to prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Place the sulfate in a 500 milliliter beaker and add around 200 milliliters of hot tap water. Swirl to combine the liquids adequately.
Step 3: Place the heptahydrate into a beaker and add around 200 milliliters of room temperature water. Stir until it dissolves (you may also slightly heat it).
Step 4: Line a funnel with some filter paper and place it over the top of an empty beaker. Set this aside for later use.
Step 5: Stir the heptahydrate solution into the beaker with the sulfate solution using a glass stick. Leave to stand for a period of between 1 and 12 hours, making sure that you agitate the mixture periodically. The copper carbonate should form and drop out.
Step 6: Pour the solution into the empty beaker through the funnel, making sure that you keep the carbonate suspended. If you let it pass through the funnel, you are wasting the precious substance.
Step 7: Leave the solution to stand for another 12 hours, then filter again through a fresh filter, making sure that you keep the carbonate suspended.
Once you are finished, you should have completely separated the solution and the copper carbonate. If you plan on letting the mixture sit overnight, you can keep it agitated by placing the beaker gently onto a shaker. Because you are working with potentially dangerous chemicals, it is important that you wear safety goggles and gloves whenever you are working with the solution, just in case you spill it.
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