Making Chlorates & Perchlorates

[WarezWally]

Ill skip right to it

 

Basically im planning on setting up a electrolysis cell to make potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate and ammonium perchlorate mainly for personal use and maybe some to sell to other local enthusiasts (There is absolutely no one in Australia that sells KCLO3, KCLO4 and NA4CLO4, if you want it you have to find someone to ship it to you internationally)

 

The whole process seems straightforward but the only problems im having is with making and or sourcing a suitable anode. At first i wanted to make a graphite substitute lead dioxide anode (and still do) but for that i need nitric acid which im sure many of you would know is not as easy to get these days.

 

That leaves pretty much only platinum, the problem with platinum is the price and availability. Ideally i would like to purchase a gram or two of scrap and either electroplate something with it or draw it out into a wire (or flatten it into a sheet) but once again it seems no one is going to sell me a gram or two. Still there are options, i have located a seller who is offering 10cm platinum plated anodes for $30US with a coating of 2.5um. I have no idea if i am flushing my money away if i buy one considering the process does cause a small amount of erosion (2.5um is not that big either).

 

I would rather make a lead dioxide anode:

http://www.wfvisser.dds.nl/EN/gsld_EN.html

Lets say i can buy the copper and lead nitrates, it still calls for changing the pH to 1 with nitric acid. Is it possible to use HCl in its place.

 

What do you think about the 10cm 2.5um anode? any good?

 

Cheers

(hope ive done this right)

[YT2095]

"What do you think about the 10cm 2.5um anode? any good?"

 

don`t waste your money, you`re much better off with Pt or Pt/Ir wire.

2.5 microns will shred in no time.

[WarezWally]

you`re much better off with Pt or Pt/Ir wire.

 

You seen the prices of that stuff, robbery

[YT2095]

yes and no, you have to appreciate that although it SEEMS that way, it in fact a More precious metal than the finest purity of Gold!

it`s rarity coupled with the fact that treated correctly should last you a Very long time.

[WarezWally]

For the price of some decent Pt/Ir wire i can buy a few grams of platinum bullion and shape it into a small rod, plate, wire ect

 

If i could get my hands on some acid i could make a bloody good anode for next to nothing

[YT2095]

I wouldn`t use HCl with nitrates and electrolyise it, dangerous gases can be formed! you need nitric acid as stated.

 

have you thought about going to a Hydroponics shop?

they often sell dilute Nitric and Phosphoric acid there to lower the PH of water and to treat hard water.

 

I will point out though, that even though it`s Legal to own Perc in the UK and I believe also in the USA, it may not be in OZ!

[WarezWally]

have you thought about going to a Hydroponics shop?

they often sell dilute Nitric and Phosphoric acid there to lower the PH of water and to treat hard water.

 

Ive called every hydroponics shop in my area (i did find a place 300km away that will happily sell me a 30L drum of 70%) and all they have is phosphoric, I have found a place that sells it for etching zinc plates so ill see where that takes me.

 

I will point out though, that even though it`s Legal to own Perc in the UK and I believe also in the USA, it may not be in OZ!

 

There is no laws or legislation saying i cant posses it per say, the only things banned or 'controlled' is AN and anything related to making illegal drugs (pretty long list). Ive looked through all of the controlled substances act and its not on there. The only thing that comes close is in some explosives legislation (not my state anyway) which mentions that fireworks containing potassium chlorate (or any other chlorate) and mg/al are prohibited, also goes on to mention that chlorate/sulfar is banned so i assume that for safety.

[insane_alien]

the only things banned or 'controlled' is AN and anything related to making drugs (pretty long list)

 

even water and sugar? damn i feel sorry for you guys.

[WarezWally]

even water and sugar? damn i feel sorry for you guys.

 

If by water and sugar you mean red phosphorous and ephedrine then yes

[insane_alien]

no, i meant water (H20) and sugar(sucrose) as both can be used in the manufacture of drugs.

[Glenville]

Why don't you recycle a lead dioxide anode from an old (top up with acid) car battery?

[frosch45]

You can get lead pretty easily, just go to a fishing supply shop and look at their luer sinkers--just make sure you don't get bismuth (its much more shiny--resist the temptation!!!)

 

the hard part, well, not hard, but reasonably difficult, would be oxidizing it