How Do You Synthesize Silver Selenate?

Silver selenate can be synthesized using a precipitation reaction between silver nitrate and sodium selenate. Here are the detailed steps:

1. Dissolve silver nitrate (AgNO3) in distilled water to obtain a 0.1 M solution.

2. Dissolve sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) in distilled water to obtain a 0.1 M solution.

3. Slowly add the sodium selenate solution to the silver nitrate solution while stirring vigorously. The addition should be done dropwise, and the mixture should be stirred for several minutes after each addition to ensure complete mixing.

4. A white precipitate of silver selenate (Ag2SeO4) will form as soon as the two solutions are mixed. Continue stirring for 30 minutes to ensure complete precipitation.

5. Filter the precipitate using filter paper and wash it with distilled water several times to remove any impurities.

6. Dry the filtered silver selenate at room temperature or in an oven set to 60°C.

The chemical equation for the reaction is:

AgNO3(aq) + Na2SeO4(aq) → Ag2SeO4(s) + 2NaNO3(aq)

It's important to note that silver selenate is highly toxic and should be handled with care. Proper safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and a lab coat, should be taken when working with this substance.