Last Updated, May 25, 2023, 11:46 AM Research
4 Essential Uses for Nitric Acid in the Lab
Research

Nitric acid is a crucial player in many laboratory procedures, from the creation of nitrates to acid washing. Its properties make nitric acid a versatile reagent used in various areas of research and testing. Here are four essential uses for nitric acid in the lab.

Analytical Chemistry

Nitric acid sees extensive use in the realm of analytical chemistry. It is used as a reagent in various tests, such as the detection of chloride, bromide, and iodide ions. Moreover, due to its oxidative properties, nitric acid is utilized in the preparation of samples for analysis. It can dissolve a broad range of metals, making it an ideal choice for dissolving samples that need to be tested.

Creation of Nitrates

Nitric acid is often employed in the production of nitrates. Nitrates are a type of salt or ester of nitric acid and are vital for a range of chemical reactions. In the laboratory, nitrates serve as a significant ingredient in fertilizers and are also used in the manufacturing of explosives, making the production of these salts a fundamental use for nitric acid.

Acid Washing

Acid washing or acid cleaning is another laboratory process that leverages the properties of nitric acid. It’s especially effective for cleaning glassware and removing mineral deposits, residues, and contaminants that can interfere with the accuracy of experiments. The strong oxidative nature of nitric acid allows it to break down organic compounds and clean surfaces efficiently.

Metal Passivation

Lastly, nitric acid plays a pivotal role in metal passivation, a process vital to many industries. Passivation is a method used to enhance the corrosion resistance of metals and alloys. It involves creating a thin, inert surface layer that protects the underlying material from corrosion. Nitric acid, due to its oxidative nature, is typically used for passivation of stainless steel.

Now that you know these four essential uses for nitric acid in the lab, we hope you can see how instrumental this potent chemical is for a variety of processes.

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