Experiment 6 - 100mA CuSO4

 Cell:

• Cathode:  3.5 cm of exposed 0.25mm Ag wire as close as possible to 1 cm x 2 cm Landauer CR-39 chip.
• Anode:  Approximately 5 cm of 0.5 mm Pt wire with Pt screen spot welded on end  
• NO magnets

 Electrolyte:

• 30 gm H2O + 0.42 gm LiCl + 0.225 gm CuSO4·5H2O (0.03M CuSO4) 

 Procedure:

• 100 mA until clear

Etch:

• 6.5M NaOH at 68°C for 90 minutes

Results:

• Copper plated out in less than 90 minutes
  • upon applying the current, a "snow storm" started in the cell
  • cathode was quickly covered in gel-like thick growth
  • electrolyte became clear
  • cathode began releasing brown particles
• No visible marks on CR-39 prior to etching
• No visible marks on CR-39 after etching

Snow		Brown Particles