video Make Glow Sticks - The Science
We show how to make glow sticks and go through all the chemicals needed as well as how to make different colors. We also talk about the chemistry and scientifically research a proposed mechanism.
To make the glow stick mix together the following:
10mL Diethyl Phthalate (solvent)
3mg of fluorescent dye (see below)
50mg TCPO (see below)
100mg sodium acetate
3mL 30% hydrogen peroxide (add last to start reaction)
The fluorescent dye can be 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene for green, Rubrene for yellow, 9,10-diphenylanthracene for blue, and rhodamine B for red.
TCPO is expensive to buy but can be made for much cheaper by following the directions in our previous video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViJknvEEEOA
The chemicals, including the ones to make TCPO were purchased from alfa aesar:
The Rhodamine B and Rubrene dyes were instead purchased from sigma Aldrich:
The dyes and TCPO are carcinogenic and gloves should be worn when handling them.
The TCPO and sodium acetate amounts can be varied considerably and still obtain good light. Smaller quantities tend to be dimmer and decay faster, while larger quantities last longer.
To make the glow stick mix together the following:
10mL Diethyl Phthalate (solvent)
3mg of fluorescent dye (see below)
50mg TCPO (see below)
100mg sodium acetate
3mL 30% hydrogen peroxide (add last to start reaction)
The fluorescent dye can be 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene for green, Rubrene for yellow, 9,10-diphenylanthracene for blue, and rhodamine B for red.
TCPO is expensive to buy but can be made for much cheaper by following the directions in our previous video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViJknvEEEOA
The chemicals, including the ones to make TCPO were purchased from alfa aesar:
The Rhodamine B and Rubrene dyes were instead purchased from sigma Aldrich:
The dyes and TCPO are carcinogenic and gloves should be worn when handling them.
The TCPO and sodium acetate amounts can be varied considerably and still obtain good light. Smaller quantities tend to be dimmer and decay faster, while larger quantities last longer.
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Esteemed, colleague. Thank you for the great videos-- instructive and very interesting. Great voice, too. I have an odd question, and it has to do with a pending science project. Is there any chemical you might recommend to increase the viscosity of the glow stick solution? We are looking for a constancy something like maple syrup. Of course, taste is not a consideration, and no one will be eating this stuff. Also, is over the counter Hydrogen Peroxide of sufficient potency as a reagent? Thanks again. Science Rocks, Sincerely, CosmoZ
I do not have access to the equipment or supervision to attempt to make TCPO, and don't really care to deal with or attempt to acquire deadly chemicals.
Will any of these solutions work for this reaction, would you use it without the solvent? or is that solvent for the dye?
Thanks for your comments, and some very interesting chemistry.
for something a bit cheaper and safer i recommend looking into luminol based chemiluminescent reactions. Luminol can be bought online relatively cheaply compared to TCPO. and you don't need unusual solvents and dyes to use it.
Thank You :))
(PS has anyone told you that your voice sounds like the protagonist of "Sanatarium"? Well, it did to me)
Thanks again.
Thanks
can you elaborate, does the solution work better (last longer/brighter) if activated when in a cooler or warmer temperature?
entertaining and informative, as always Nerd.