Synthesis and Properties of Nitrocellulose

In this video i synthesize Nitrocellulose by adding cotton to a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid and then perform cool experiment with it like igniting it with Manganese heptoxide Mn2O7 causing an explosion

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Synthesis
• of
• Nitrocellulose
• properties
• sulfuric
• acid
• sulphuric
• nitric
• H2SO4
• HNO3
• cotton
• nitration
• explosive
• explosion
• nitrocellulose
• manganese
• heptoxide
• Manganese
• oxide
• (VII)
• potassium
• permangante
• concentrate
• deflagration
• burning
• nitrated
• chemistry
• reaction
• awesome
• cool
• volcano
• experiment
• butane
• torch
• fire
• dhwanit
• dave

[demnlordd666]

you sure its the heat from the blown out match doing that? cause the torch through the watch glass took a while. and it seems to me that hot sulfur/oxidizer fumes might make more sense. or some chemical trace from the head of the match. do it with the other wooden end of the match and I will believe you. I don't doubt that an ember would set it off. but without even that seems more chemical in nature.

[dhwanitchem]

@demnlordd666 When i first performed it with the torch, the nitrocellulose wasn't completely dry, so it took time. It was set off easy by the match because it was very dry.

[XBiteABulletX]

I make nitrocellulose with 92% H2SO4 and adding KNO3, no HNO3. I let it sit for 20 hours in the nitration mix. What do you think about it?

[dhwanitchem]

@XBiteABulletX Yes i guess its quite possible, chemistry is all about innovation.

[vaderka]

I tried to prepare nitrocellulose several times but when i sink the cotton in the acid mixture it decomposes- it becomes jelly-like and later dissolves completely...Can someone explain this observation and please tell me where's my mistake?Do you think the temperature of the acid mixture matters?....

[dhwanitchem]

@vaderka By decomposes do you mean that Brown gas is releases? If yes then the ratio of the acid is not correct in my opinion. Remember H2SO4:HNO3 = 7:3. The temp of the acid doesnt really matter according to me. Try letting the mixture cool down till room temp and then add cotton.

[demnlordd666]

@demnlordd666 would be really cool to watch some one light it at a distance with a green laser ya know

[demnlordd666]

@dhwanitchem ya I also saw the same trick in another vid before I saw yours too. but no one used just a stick end, not saying you are wrong or its just seemed like it could contribute to ignition.

[09876124]

Also try using excess acid that way the nitrocellulose can be slightly extra fluffy when dry giving better results...

[09876124]

Umm ive tried it with both room temp and abt 0-5C when it was cooled the result was better so try it once....

[Caswalle]

can you do this nitrating with potassium nitrate and sodium bisulfate.