In this video we make europium and dysprosium nitrate salts we'll need in upcoming videos.

Instead of buying the salts directly from our chemical supply companies we decided to make them entirely using chemicals anyone can buy online or make themselves. In this case europium metal and dysprosium metal with nitric acid.

The europium and dysprosium metal were purchased online from: http://elementsales.com/

The nitric acid was produced in our nitric acid video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yE7v4wkuZU

The procedures for both salts is rather simple.

First, obtain 2.5 grams of europium. Europium comes in mineral oil so it must be washed off with toluene. Then the europium is placed in a beaker where a total of 10 mL of water is added in small portions. This is added before the acid for safety reasons. After all the water is added and the reaction seems to have slowed down 10mL of concentrated 15.6 molar nitric acid is added.

The solution is then heated to ensure complete reaction of all the metal bits.

For dysprosium:

5g of dysprosium can be directly added to a mixture of 20mL of water and 20mL Nitric acid. Once again, heating the solution ensures complete reaction.

Both nitrates are allowed to dry in the desiccator bag we made last week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJFfS_YbbYI

Afterward, the nitrates are transferred to vials for storage and labeled.

The europium salt produced will be Europium Nitrate pentahydrate
The dysprosium salt produced will be dysprosium nitrate pentahydrate.

We're going to use these nitrates for some cool upcoming videos so please subscribe rate and comment!

Note: before you ask, no they are not good for any pyrotechnic. (less info)