SILVER NITRATE – OVERVIEW Chemical Formula: AgNO₃ ...

SILVER NITRATE – OVERVIEW Chemical Formula: AgNO₃ Molecular Weight: 169.87 g/mol Appearance: Colorless, transparent crystals Nature: Highly soluble in water, light-sensitive, and corrosive Main Role: Precursor to most silver compounds, photographic and lab applications ⚗️ RAW MATERIALS REQUIRED Raw Material Chemical Formula Purpose Pure Silver Metal Ag Base material Concentrated Nitric Acid HNO₃ For dissolution and nitrate formation Distilled Water H₂O Dilution, crystallization medium 🔬 CHEMICAL REACTION objectivec Copy Edit 3 Ag + 4 HNO₃ → 3 AgNO₃ + NO + 2 H₂O Nitric acid oxidizes metallic silver, producing Silver Nitrate, Nitric Oxide (NO) gas, and water. The NO gas oxidizes to NO₂ in air, so good ventilation or fume extraction is required. 🏭 MANUFACTURING PROCESS ✅ Step 1: Dissolution Place pure silver granules or foil in a glass or PTFE-lined reaction vessel. Slowly add concentrated nitric acid (1:1 diluted) under controlled cooling. Maintain temperature at 40–60°C to promote steady reaction. Gas bubbles (NO) indicate ongoing reaction. ✅ Step 2: Filtration After complete dissolution of silver, filter to remove insoluble impurities (like silver chloride if contaminated). Ensure the solution is clear and colorless. ✅ Step 3: Crystallization Evaporate the solution under reduced pressure or low heat (avoid boiling). Cool the solution to room temperature, and then to ~5°C to initiate crystal formation. Collect Silver Nitrate crystals by filtration. ✅ Step 4: Drying Dry crystals in light-protected glass trays at 40–50°C. Store in dark, amber-glass containers to avoid photodecomposition. 📦 YIELD ESTIMATE (Per 100 g of Silver) Input Approx. Quantity Silver (Ag) 100 g Nitric Acid (Conc.) ~125–150 mL Distilled Water ~200 mL Silver Nitrate Output ~169 g (theoretical max yield) 🧯 SAFETY & HANDLING Highly corrosive and light-sensitive. Use gloves, goggles, fume hood. Reacts with organic matter — avoid contact with paper, skin, wood. Toxic to aquatic life — follow disposal regulations strictly. 🏭 USES OF SILVER NITRATE IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES Industry Application Photographic Industry Used in film and photo paper emulsions Pharmaceuticals Antiseptic in eye drops, wound dressings, wart treatment Electronics Production of conductive inks, printed circuits Glass & Mirror Industry Silvering agent in making mirrors Chemical Synthesis Starting material for other silver compounds like silver oxide, silver chloride Laboratory Reagent Used in chloride ion detection (AgCl ppt), titration Explosives & Pyrotechnics Silver salts used in detonators and flare compositions (limited due to cost) Textile Printing Acts as a light-sensitive agent in historical textile dyeing 🔄 Alternative (Lab-scale) Method You can also make AgNO₃ by reacting silver oxide (Ag₂O) with dilute nitric acid, but it's not economical for bulk manufacturing.