Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Ryanwest on 26/01/2016 20:03:39

Title: What chemical would react with iron particles to produce a purple colour?
Post by: Ryanwest on 26/01/2016 20:03:39

Hello all.

I am a little lost and hopefully someone can help me out here.

I am trying to make a formula that can react to rust particles. I want to be able to spray on a cleaning solution on to Iron particle and have it react to the Iron, turning purple/brown color over time....

Example, I spray on the cleaning solution and over time the saturated area reacts and turns purplish/brown...

Any help please :)

Title: Re: Sprayed onto rust, what chemical would turn the surface purple-brown over time?
Post by: Colin2B on 26/01/2016 23:53:39

Iron nails in oak leave a bluish stain due to a reaction with the tannin in the wood.
Strong tea is cheap and so worth trying.

Title: Re: Sprayed onto rust, what chemical would turn the surface purple-brown over time?
Post by: quandry on 27/01/2016 09:15:47

Your objective is not clear. Why do you want to turn rust spots purple/brown. Phosphoric acid will turn them dark grey. Other chemical reactions will convert the Fe203 (Red Oxide).
If your purpose is to achieve a reddish brown finish on steel then check out barrel browning processes.

Title: Re: Sprayed onto rust, what chemical would turn the surface purple-brown over time?
Post by: Ryanwest on 27/01/2016 16:33:29

Thank you for the reply.

I'm actually looking for something to spray on Iron particles (Cant really see with the naked eye) to reveal them when saturated.

almost similar to this product

Title: Re: What Chemical react with Iron Particles? Detect Iron....
Post by: chiralSPO on 30/01/2016 14:28:08

Phenanthroline (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenanthroline) is essentially colorless, but reacts with iron salts to give a vivid red color. It won't clean rust, or turn it purple, but perhaps is a starting point for your research. I'm still not entirely certain what you are trying to do...

Title: Re: What Chemical react with Iron Particles? Detect Iron....
Post by: Bored chemist on 30/01/2016 15:08:34

Salicylates also give bright red/ purple colours with iron in solution.

Title: Re: What Chemical react with Iron Particles? Detect Iron....
Post by: Ryanwest on 01/02/2016 22:49:24

Quote from: Bored chemist on 30/01/2016 15:08:34

Salicylates also give bright red/ purple colours with iron in solution.

Thank you for the reply. I'm essentially just trying to reveal the Iron particles. Like in the video. :)

Title: Re: What chemical would react with iron particles to produce a purple colour?
Post by: Ryanwest on 01/02/2016 22:59:29

Quote from: Bored chemist on 30/01/2016 15:08:34

Salicylates

Do you think it would be best to dilute this with distilled water. Then spray it on surfaces to reveal the Iron particles?

Title: Re: What chemical would react with iron particles to produce a purple colour?
Post by: chiralSPO on 02/02/2016 16:38:56

Quote from: Ryanwest on 01/02/2016 22:59:29

Quote from: Bored chemist on 30/01/2016 15:08:34

Salicylates

Do you think it would be best to dilute this with distilled water. Then spray it on surfaces to reveal the Iron particles?

I don't know. You might try dissolving it in distilled water and then adding some rust to the solution to see if you get the desired color change before spraying it on your car...

Phenanthroline is not very soluble in water, you might have to add a little vinegar or rubbing alcohol to get it to dissolve nicely. Though I should note, you really don't need much, maybe 100mg in 1 liter.

If you decide to go with salicylic acid, that is much more soluble in water. I think you can buy a solution of it in water at the pharmacist (or chemist, if you're in England).

Let us know how your experiments go.