Make SMASH-GLOW Crystals!!!

In this video we make triboluminescent or smash-glow crystals.

Triboluminescence is the phenomena where light is generated when something is rubbed or fractured. The exact mechanism by which triboluminescence works is still under investigation, but the best theories so far propose that the breaking of the structure causes charge separation that release energy upon recombination. This energy is picked up by nearby atoms, in this case europium, and released as light according to their ionization or fluorescence spectra.

Many substances exhibit triboluminescence including sugar and tape. But Europium Tetrakis (Dibenzoylmethide)Triethylammonium is one of the strongest available and its glow can easily be captured by a camera.

It's made by mixing 100mL of Ethanol, 2.93g of dibenzoylmethane, 1.4g of europium nitrate pentahydrate and 1.9mL of triethylamine. The mixture is heated until everything dissolves and then allowed to cool slowly to obtain crystals that are filtered off and washed with ethanol. After thorough drying they are ready for use.

A frequently asked question is if this stuff is hot when it is used. The answer is no, the crystals do not undergo a chemical transformation and thus they do not release or consume heat, but remain at constant temperature. There may be some small heating due to friction when they are broken, but that is not from the crystals or a special property of triboluminescence.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Triboluminescence
• Europium
• dibenzoylmethane
• tetrakis
• triethylammonium
• synthesis
• science
• chemistry
• nature
• awesome
• experiment
• glow
• in
• the
• dark

[mrhomescientist]

I'm looking into making these crystals for a science demonstration show I do, and I was wondering if your ethanol was pure or denatured. Since it's just a solvent, I assume it doesn't matter if there is some methanol present? Do you think this is bright enough to be seen from a stage in a darkened auditorium, or is it better for close-up demonstration? Thanks!

[NurdRage]

@mrhomescientist I used pure ethanol with a bit of benzene contaminant (from azeotropic distillation). I don't see any problems with methanol, but i didn't try it myself.

The light is quite visible and is brighter with greater/faster grinding with the spatula. So i think it would be visible in a dark auditorium. I reccomend trying it a few times first. The newer/bigger the crystals the greater the flash.

BTW, good job on the fire compilation video.

[NurdRage]

@NurdRage excellent, i look forward to your results. It's a pity sciencemadness doesn't accept videos, or at least not from me. Good luck!

[invaderjinzo432]

Europium Tetrakis (Dibenzoylmethide) Triethylammonium......

O.o...WTF?!

[WTHEtv]

1:58 "...and now I'm going to hit them multiple times with a hammer"

lol

[Zarnirox]

Those 3 exclamation marks really drew me in.

[jlowgabomofoyou420]

you could maybe use these crystals for fiberoptic preasure sensors

though i dont know if the would cost effective

[TonyWbb]

3:20 allright say that 3 time really really fast, while standing on your head....& go

[unkeptsurvivor]

Dubstep

[Numinatior]

how large can these crystals grow, if you doubled the recipe and left it for say a week?

[biOh4z4Rd1]

Lol say tht stuffs name three times fast O-o

[commetsmasher]

you could coat guitar strings and picks with it and it would glow whenever the strings come into contact with the frets. That would be pretty awesome... not sure I would want that stuff on my guitar though...

[BrainHackerz]

Raves!

[Lurker1979]

Say that string of complicated words five times fast. I dare you. 

[2m11christian]

wtf 1:38