Introduction: How to Make Phosphorescent "Glow in the Dark" Powder

By NurdRage
About: NurdRage is a dedicate group of science nerds trying to further amateur science with direct how-to instructions in video format. We saw what was already online and we thought "we could do better"... …

How to make phosphorescent glow in the dark powder. Also known as luminescent, photoluminescent or simply glow powder.

Warning: This experiment uses mildly toxic chemicals, wear gloves when handling them. In addition, the combustion reaction must be performed outside or in a fume-hood due to the resulting smoke and gasses.

For this experiment you'll need:
Strontium Nitrate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rd8b6wNnKA
Aluminum Nitrate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Ha1SJrazY
Purification by recrystalization: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVA0rK_VITY
Europium and dysprosium nitrates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IFsOmriS8I
And you'll need nitric acid to make the above nitrates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yE7v4wkuZU

The procedure is relatively straightforward: 1.875g of aluminum nitrate nonahydrate with 530mg of strontium nitrate, 10.7mg of europium nitrate pentahydrate, 21.9mg of dysprosium nitrate pentahydrate and 30.9mg of boric acid are dissolved in 3mL of distilled water. 3.9g of pure urea is added and shaken until dissolved. The mixture is heated in a 1000watt microwave for 4 minutes. Eventually it'll ignite and combust. The white "ash" is the glow powder.

As seen in the above video, this will produce green glow in the dark powder. To make blue glow in the dark powder you can swap out the strontium nitrate with 590mg of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate. The results are similar to what is seen in this video: