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Silver coating glass with silver nitrate

I remember at school, we would coat the insides of a beaker with silver, using silver nitrate, and I believe ammonia. This was done to demonstrate how reflective light bulbs are (or were) made. I would like to set up a similar experiment for my son's science fair project. Please remind me what is needed and how to do the experiment. Many thanks in advance.

James Fairhurst
hobbyist - Edgewater, Florida
2004

You will need to prepare Tollen's reagent: In a test-tube put 1 ml of 0.05 M Silver Nitrate solution, followed by 2 drops of 4N Sodium Hydroxide and then just enough 4N ammonia [on eBay or Amazon] to dissolve the precipitate of silver oxide. This solution is Tollens reagent and contains the complex Ag(NH₃)₂OH. After use discard the solution since the complex is explosive if allowed to dry out!

Tollens reagent is used as a classification test for aldehydes and ketones so add such a substance to the Tollens reagent and heat in boiling water. A silver mirror on the inside of the test-tube indicates aldehyde(by oxidation to the acid). The silver mirror can be cleaned off by rinsing the beaker with a few drops of concentrated nitric acid....TAKE CARE WHEN HANDLING THIS SOLUTION!

Nigel D Gill, B.Sc. MIMF AIEMA MRSC
- Glasgow, Scotland.
2004

August 13, 2010

We have a potential client looking to achieve a "Chrome Like" color or "Silver Coating" on the inside of a Glass Cylinder.
Can you direct us to company or companies that can accomplish this?
Thank you.

Al Doerbecker
- Bellmore, New York

August 16, 2010

Hi,Al.

This has been done by glass artists for at least a couple of centuries, and it is how Thermos bottles were traditionally made, so it is not a new effect. Silver oxidizes, but glass artists avoid that by sealing the silver into a glass bubble and away from the air. I mention this so you realize that it won't work if the silver isn't behind glass.

You may wish to search our site for "Brashear process". However, you may prefer to apply "chrome-look paint" per the banner that follows. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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