{"id":338,"date":"2026-02-25T11:43:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/?p=338"},"modified":"2026-02-25T12:35:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:35:46","slug":"chemistry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/?p=338","title":{"rendered":"Chemistry"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"copper<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Success Is Born Of Many Failures<\/h2>\n

Ok so, about a year ago, I made a small amount of copper acetate, I was planning to use it for electroplating. I didn’t finish this experiment, but I did learn a couple things, so now, I’m trying to grow a copper acetate crystal from the solution I made back then, as it is now a concentrate.<\/p>\n

I just now learned that the fumes from that same solution turns copper green as I was attempting to see if i could create a nucleation point on a bit of bare copper. Interesting night!<\/p>\n

Below, you will find a short list of polyhedra – three of which you can make at home with household chemicals and patience. Please proceed with caution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Shape<\/th>\n Candidate Materials<\/th>\n Method \/ Conditions<\/th>\n Home Feasible?<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
Dodecahedron<\/td>\n Pyrite (FeS\u2082), Garnets<\/td>\n Mineral growth, flux growth, high temperature<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Icosahedron<\/td>\n Quasicrystals (Al\u2013Mn, Al\u2013Cu\u2013Fe)<\/td>\n Metallic alloy, melt & controlled cooling<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Octahedron<\/td>\n Copper sulfate, Alum<\/td>\n Saturated solution, slow crystallization<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Cube<\/td>\n NaCl, KCl<\/td>\n Saturated solution, slow evaporation<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Tetragonal<\/td>\n Borax<\/td>\n Saturated solution, slow cooling<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

This below is the solution I am using, this reaction is pretty much non toxic, but can stain things blue (which might also be an interesting use in a controlled environment) but try not to get it on your skin unless you really love the Smurfs.<\/p>\n\n

Copper(II) Acetate Preparation Using Hydrogen Peroxide<\/h2>\n\n

Reaction overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes copper metal \u2192 copper(II)<\/li>\n
  • Acetic acid (vinegar) supplies acetate ions<\/li>\n
  • They combine \u2192 copper(II) acetate in solution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    So instead of waiting days for air oxidation, peroxide does it quickly.<\/p>\n\n

    Safety Note<\/h3>\n

    Safe, controlled method. Use 3% pharmacy hydrogen peroxide only<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

    Working Ratio<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • White vinegar<\/li>\n
    • Add ~10\u201320% volume of 3% hydrogen peroxide<\/li>\n
    • Add clean copper pieces<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

      Example<\/h4>\n
        \n
      • 100 mL vinegar<\/li>\n
      • 10\u201320 mL 3% hydrogen peroxide<\/li>\n
      • Drop in copper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        You should see bubbling and blue color forming.<\/p>\n\n

        Important Controls<\/h3>\n

        Do not:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Use high-strength peroxide<\/li>\n
        • Heat the peroxide mixture<\/li>\n
        • Seal the container tightly (oxygen is released)<\/li>\n
        • Add ammonia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Keep the container vented.<\/p>\n\n

          What to Expect<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Solution turns blue-green<\/li>\n
          • Reaction slows as peroxide is consumed<\/li>\n
          • Excess peroxide decomposes to water + oxygen<\/li>\n
          • Once bubbling stops, let it sit exposed to air to deepen color<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

            Important for Crystal Growth<\/h3>\n

            After the reaction finishes:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Let the solution sit open for a day<\/li>\n
            • This allows:\n
                \n
              • Remaining peroxide to decompose<\/li>\n
              • Oxygen to equilibrate<\/li>\n
              • Reaction to stabilize<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Residual peroxide can interfere with crystal growth if you start evaporating immediately.<\/p>\n\n

                One Subtle Tip<\/h3>\n

                Clean copper first:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Sand lightly<\/li>\n
                • Rinse<\/li>\n
                • Quick vinegar rinse<\/li>\n
                • Rinse again<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Oxides and oils slow the reaction and introduce impurities.<\/p>\n\n

                  Why This Method is Ideal<\/h3>\n

                  It produces:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Clean copper acetate<\/li>\n
                  • Minimal side products<\/li>\n
                  • Predictable concentration<\/li>\n
                  • Fast turnaround for repeated seed cycles<\/li>\n
                  • Perfect for experimental crystal growth like you\u2019re doing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Success Is Born Of Many Failures Ok so, about a year ago, I made a small amount of copper acetate, I was planning to use it for electroplating. I didn’t finish this experiment, but I did learn a couple things, so now, I’m trying to grow a copper acetate crystal from the solution I made […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=338"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/338\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":351,"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/338\/revisions\/351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wovenmetal.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}