Can We Make Potassium Metal?

Having almost run out of metals that are easily synthesised by molten salt electrolysis procedures, we attempt to make the most difficult one so far - potassium metal - to very limited success.

You can check out the other molten salt electrolysis videos here:

[baudgaud]

I have countless projects that can benefit from random bits of information I can pick up from absolutely any and every maker with a YouTube channel. Sometimes I can give helpful hints when I see something unwieldy (or a presenter outright complains about something) in a video. Sometimes I can help clarify, such as when presenters aren't really sure what they saw under a microscope or on an oscilloscope and etc. Even a so-called "failed experiment" is infinitely educational just because it's on a highly visible platform like YouTube. Thank you for that!

[Nighthawkinlight]

A little glass eye dropper worked to collect sodium for me in a similar setup

[flyingshards]

You don't know until you try, good of you to try! I always enjoy your videos, thanks for making and sharing!

[fmdj]

6:30 I get such an urge to drop a sugar cube into that molten KOH forge 😅

It's great to publish a failed experiment, that's very valuable too, I wish more people did it - on YouTube as well as in academia.

[charleschidsey]

I never click away from your videos my man. I know you’re in Uni now but post whatever whenever you can. Your content is great whether successful or not.

[eddywolton]

I think the most efficient method I've come across for making potassium metal was the distillation of potassium from KOH and Aluminium powder in a small reaction vessel made from a CO2 canister. Despite not optimising the set up at all (no inert gas, friction fit) I still got a 25% yield which was the best yet for an alkali metal isolation. I do plan on making an ultra efficient set up capable of making sodium through to Cesium using induction heating and Tig welded parts with a vacuum adapter and an argon flushing system, but for now I'm happy with a sample that cost me nothing to make.

[terawattyear]

When I made the little bit of Na metal that I did via electrolysis, I used a clay flowerpot. I plugged the hole in the bottom with a nut and bolt and a couple of washers. Definitely a one use crucible but it worked. The concern with stuff like that though is that those flowerpots are prone to cracking. I really liked the idea of the furnace you used for heating. I used a propane torch. Once the NaOH was melted the current would keep the material melted with no more external heating.

I really like the info you provide with these videos, process working as you planned or not. Good work. Thanks!

[theallamericanchemist]

Yes this is a type of video I have been waiting

[harryniedecken]

Thank you for the video and great effort.

I guess that I would be tempted to build this as a vacuum process vs inert gas process, even though the construction is a bit complicated.

It might be possible to get the desired product to evaporate from the melt and condense away in a cooler zone of the vacuum tube, for example in a horizontal vacuum tube furnace. These are common in the semiconductor industry and sometimes come available at moderate prices

[danielppps]

The "easiest" method to get K from electrolysis in the modern age is to do the electrolysis of a solution of potassium perchlorate or tetrafluoroborate in propylene carbonate. You can do it at room temperature and the resulting potassium will be of decent purity. The KClO4 has relatively low solubility (0.04M) so the tetrafluoroborate is preferable.

[rachidachhiwat]

Comment fabriquer une cellule de production d'hypochlorite de sodium

[pelegsap]

Video-related tip: don't allow such a big "headroom" (distance between top of the head and the top of the frame). Your eyes should be at about two-thirds the way up.

[szogun]

I have seen one video with guy using who used a steel can with a charcoal cup as a crucible. Can was almost sealed, had only a small hole in a cap to let gases go away, but charcoal could react only with substances inside of container.
There would be problem with observing but, see following solution:
Nail electrodes to the bottom od container. Put 1 Ohm resistor and current meter. Once current would drop to 0 or go up to 12 amps (assuming you are using 12 V source) majority of potasium salt have been converted to potasium and gases, so circuit was opened or shortcut by potasium.
Then just wait for everything to cool down.
It was just though experiment not silupported with any experience 😊

[Neptunium]

I like it!! Do you think Rb and Cs would behave the same way and dissolve im their hydroxide ?

[nunyabisnass]

I looked into this seceral months ago, and reached the same conclusion you did. I havent thought of it much since then, but now im onteteted again as perhaps theres a bismuth based flux that will still float over the potassium.

[hossamslime]

Nice video
Can ask you how can separate TIN metal from boards of computer solder

[nowar]

Try using glass instead, they might be sacrifial if it cools down too fast but it works 10x better, unless u have high grade stainless (not sure wat type is better 304 316 etc)

But low grade stainless will even clog the reaction and stop the metal production, even for na and li..

If it goes brown its done, no good, restart..

[abekane]

Great channel. Failures are as important as success'

[hanleypc]

Your furnace might be ok, I did exactly the same trying to melt lead in a stainless scoop. It has been gradually flowing down the hole where the temp probe is. Luckily if you take the bottom panel off your furnace you'll see there isn't actually very much in there to get broken. You might be able to periodically clear out the hydroxide until it's not a problem.

I've been wondering if you can get ceramic crucibles that fit because it's also disappointing how quickly the graphite ones degrade.

[MIH]

I suppose you should avoid using both a hydroxide and a halide in the eutectic mix...? The chlorine produced on the anode may directly react with the hydroxide to make something like chlorates, which will travel to the cathode and destroy your potassium. Alternatively, you can use another eutectic of KOH that has its melting point below the boiling point of paraffin oil (around 300˚C), and you can use that to protect the potassium metal from the atmosphere and stop it from burning up.