Preparation of lead (II) sulphate salt
To prepare lead (II) sulphate (PbSO4) salt, you will need the following:
- Lead (II) nitrate (Pb(NO3)2)
- Sodium sulphate (Na2SO4)
- Distilled water
- Glass beakers
- Glass stirring rod
- Filter paper
- Funnel
- Bunsen burner or hot plate
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Safety goggles
Procedure:
1. Put on safety goggles and heat-resistant gloves for protection.
2. Measure out equal volumes of lead (II) nitrate and sodium sulphate solutions. For example, you could use 10 mL of each solution.
3. Pour the lead (II) nitrate solution into a glass beaker.
4. Start heating the lead (II) nitrate solution gently using a Bunsen burner or hot plate. Be careful not to overheat the solution.
5. While stirring, slowly add the sodium sulphate solution to the heated lead (II) nitrate solution. Continue stirring until the reaction is complete and a precipitate forms. The reaction equation for the formation of lead (II) sulphate is:
Pb(NO3)2 + Na2SO4 -> 2NaNO3 + PbSO4
6. Allow the precipitate to settle for a few minutes.
7. Carefully decant the liquid (supernatant) above the solid precipitate, being cautious to avoid pouring out any of the precipitate.
8. Wash the precipitate by adding distilled water to the beaker and stirring gently. Allow the precipitate to settle, then decant the water. Repeat this washing step a few times to remove any impurities.
9. Transfer the wet precipitate onto a filter paper in a funnel to separate the solid from the remaining liquid. Let the water drain out, leaving only the solid on the filter paper.
10. Gently press the wet precipitate with the back of a glass stirring rod to remove excess water.
11. Carefully remove the filter paper with the wet precipitate from the funnel and transfer it to a heat-resistant surface, such as a watch glass or evaporating dish.
12. Dry the precipitate by placing it in an oven set to a low temperature (around 100-120 °C) for several hours. Alternatively, you can also leave it in a warm and well-ventilated area to air dry.
13. Once the lead (II) sulphate is completely dry, it can be stored in a dry and labelled container for future use.
Note: Lead (II) compounds are toxic, so it is crucial to handle them with proper precautions and dispose of any waste safely according to local regulations.