Synthetic Fluorescent Mineral Experiment: Uranyl + Carbonate Based Fluorescence - UVc

 

FOV: 4" wide.

 

This experiment demonstrates the shift in color from yellow-green to blue-green of minerals containing the uranyl ion in conjunction with carbonates.

 

On the right ~15mL of calcined garden gypsum (rinsed) was combined with 7.5mL of a boiling solution containing sodium chloride, sodium carbonate and uranyl nitrate in an aluminum form. The mixture released much gas (CO2 ?).

 

On the left ~15mL of DAP Plaster of Paris (containing CaCO3) was combined with 7.5mL of the cooled previously mentioned solution after it had been treated with HCl to remove the carbonate ions. The still acidic solution reacted with the CaCO3 in the Plaster of Paris mix and was mostly neutralized by the CaCO3 becoming CaCl2 and CO2 gas (and H2O). The mixture was left to set in a plastic form.

 

Contains:

Uranyl with carbonate (FL Blue-green >BL/UVabc)

Uranyl without carbonate (FL Yellow-green >BL/UVabc)

 

Shown under UVc light.

 

Key:

WL = White light (halogen + LED)

FL = Fluoresces

PHOS = Phosphorescent

Blue = 450nm,

UVa = 368nm (LW), UVb = 311nm (MW), UVc = 254nm (SW)

'>' = "stimulated by:", '!' = "bright", '~' = "dim"

 

Uranyl + Carbonate Based Fluorescence

9Nov2015

 

Much appreciation to Gordon Czop for the uranyl nitrate.

 

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18 Watt Triple Output UV lamp from Polman Minerals - Way Too Cool UV lamps

Done