How to prepare copper sulphate solution and its uses

To prepare copper sulphate solution is not a hard task. One must first measure out 100 grams of copper sulphate and dissolve it in 1 liter of distilled water. Next, the correct amount of potassium dichromate, say 10 percent by weight or volume, is added and solution is stirred until fully dissolved. Finally, the solution is filtered through a filter paper and the filter paper placed back in on top of filter flask to catch any droplets that may form during storage so they do not clog up stopper.

Uses of copper sulphate solution

1. As a fungicidal fungicide

This is a broad spectrum fungicide, so it is often used in the treatment of diseases of the potato, tomato and others. It can be applied as a spray or by immersion. It controls many soil-borne fungal diseases.

2. As a reagent for bacteriologic testing and for control of nematodes

In water purification and in the treatment of air pollution, copper sulphate solution has been used reliably to control all bacterial and parasitic organisms that may be present in water or on soil. A chelated copper or a disaltebrated copper salts also is used to control fungi in cheese making, wine making, brewing beer production and other industries where liquid congealed milk is being produced. This shows how to prepare copper sulphate solution.

3. As an antiseptic and disinfectant

Its antiseptic qualities are due to its ability to suppress the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms by preventing them from multiplying. It is used in some form as an expectorant. Used with iodine, it is considered useful in the treatment of skin infections caused by fungi and fungi that attack the nails. Used with camphor, it forms a stable disinfectant paste for denture bases and also removes stains from teeth.

Physical properties of copper sulphate

1. Solubility -water, 1 to 10 grams per 100 grams of copper sulphate

This is the number of grams of copper sulphate solution that will dissolve in 100 grams of water at 20℃, at normal pressure. The degree from 0 to 1 is considered to be very little soluble, from 2 up soluble. 5 or more is very soluble, 7 or more is very soluble and 10 or more is practically insoluble. The following table lists the few values for this property:

2. Decomposition point at pH 3.5, 4.5 to 12

This is the temperature at which a 10 per cent solution of copper sulphate reaches its highest concentration. The lower the pH value, the higher the concentration of the solution. The following table lists few values for this property:

3. Reduction of chloride ions, 0 to 2 per cent

This characteristic is observed during a titration and can be used to measure how much of an ionic compound has been dissolved in a solution as it is kept in an acid condition. The value shown here is the percentage potassium chloride that is titrated into a 10 per cent solution of copper sulphate when the solution is kept at 10℃. When the temperature rises or falls, so does the solubility of this ionic compound.

4. Toxicity, acute toxicity and toxic action

This property is based on toxicity studies with various animal species, using a range of concentrations in the amounts given. The toxicity of a substance is used to determine its degree of danger to human beings if it is ingested or inhaled.

5. Effect of radiation on salt solution

This property is used when deciding whether a substance can be used in the treatment of water that has been contaminated by radiation, like radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions. When a hydrated salt, such as copper sulphate, is placed in an electric field, the water molecules tend to leave their molecule and travel along the path of electric current. Thus the salt loses some of its weight when placed in the electric field and this change in weight over time is used to determine how porous a substance is.

6. Density at 20℃, 1.82 to 1.86

This is the density at 20℃ of a solution of copper sulphate. Water is the least dense, followed by hydrochloric acid and all other liquids. The density of a substance may be used to determine its specific gravity when an accurate scale is not available or when several different substances are being checked by this method.

7. Melting point at 217℃, 88 to 88.5 degrees C

This value is based on melting point test where water is added dropwise to the molten salt and then cooled off with ice bath until the temperature reaches 217℃ and then allowed to solidify again as it cools quickly.

In conclusions, to prepare copper sulphate solution is not a hard task. One must first measure out 100 grams of copper sulphate and dissolve it in 1 liter of distilled water. Next, the correct amount of potassium dichromate, say 10 percent by weight or volume, is added and solution is stirred until fully dissolved. Finally, the solution is filtered through a filter paper and the filter paper placed back in on top of filter flask to catch any droplets that may form during storage so they do not clog up stopper.