How Is Silver Dichromate Synthesized?
Silver dichromate is a bright orange-red colored powder that can be synthesized by a simple reaction between silver nitrate and sodium dichromate. Here are the detailed steps for its synthesis:
1. Dissolve 10 grams of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in 100 ml of distilled water in a beaker.
2. In another beaker, dissolve 20 grams of sodium dichromate (Na2Cr2O7) in 100 ml of distilled water.
3. Slowly add the sodium dichromate solution to the silver nitrate solution with constant stirring.
4. The mixture will turn bright orange-red due to the formation of silver dichromate (Ag2Cr2O7) precipitate.
5. Allow the mixture to stand for a few hours until the precipitate settles at the bottom of the beaker.
6. Decant the supernatant liquid from the beaker and collect the precipitate using a filter paper.
7. Wash the precipitate several times with distilled water to remove impurities, and then dry it in an oven at 50-60°C.
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is as follows:
2 AgNO3 + Na2Cr2O7 → Ag2Cr2O7 + 2 NaNO3
It's important to note that silver dichromate is a toxic compound and should be handled with care. Proper safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, and a fume hood should be used during the synthesis process.