4 replies to this topic

[c-lab]

if you pass an electrical current through liquid potassium hydroxide would you get pure potassium metal as a product?

[Asteroid]

If you melt anhydrous KOH you will, as with KCl, however I suspect you are talking about KOH in solution, in which case, no, you'll get Hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.

[Andrew]

Yes you do, tried it before, and with Sodium Chloride (but you need two blow torches on the job for a small crucible). Your problem will be that as soon as the liquid sodium or potassium is formed it bubbles and floats to the surface where it burns in a fizzling red/white hot ball (a very slight flare is visible). You need some form of inert atmosphere or filled capture arrangement if you want to avoid an in-situ affair.

n.b. the balls of burning metal spit at you when they are on the surface.

[clash-bang]

Yes you do, tried it before, and with Sodium Chloride (but you need two blow torches on the job for a small crucible). Your problem will be that as soon as the liquid sodium or potassium is formed it bubbles and floats to the surface where it burns in a fizzling red/white hot ball (a very slight flare is visible). You need some form of inert atmosphere or filled capture arrangement if you want to avoid an in-situ affair.

n.b. the balls of burning metal spit at you when they are on the surface.

If making your own sodium or potassium is dangerous, as it sounds, do you know any sites in england which sells them and ships relitivly cheaply?
Many thanks

[Andrew]

There are a few places, but it usually involved a bit of googleing to find anywhere, I think Rose Chemicals sell Alkali metals and Alkali Earth metals under oil. As I said there are plenty of places, it's just finding them!