Aqua Regia

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Aqua Regia (HNO3 + 3HCl) is used to etch gold or platinum. It is a mixture of Nitric acid and Hydrochloric acid that is freshly mixed before use. Optimally it is in a molar ratio of 1 part nitric acid to 3 parts hydrochloric acid. When freshly mixed is clear, turns yellow very quickly and eventually red. Aqua regia was named by alchemists because of it's ability to dissolve noble metals.

Equipment

Mechanism

The mechanism of aqua regia happens upon mixing the concentrated hydrochloric acid and the nitric acid. The result is in volatile products, nitrosyl chloride and chlorine gas:

HNO3 + 3HCl --> NOCl + Cl2 + 2H2O

This is shown by the fuming nature of aqua regia. As the volatile products are removed via the exhaust, the nitrosyl chloride can further decompose into nitric oxide and more chlorine gas:

2NOCl --> 2NO + Cl2

The nitric oxide can then react with atmospheric oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide.

Dissolving Gold

Aqua regia is used to dissolve gold. Neither nitric acid or hydrochloric acid can do this alone. Nitric acid will act as the oxidizer and is used to form gold ions (Au3+). The hydrochloric acid is then used to react with the gold ions to form tetrachloroaurate(III) anions. The gold ions can then be removed from the solution which further allows the oxidation of gold. The gold is then dissolved to form chloroauric acid.

Au + 3HNO3 + 4HCl <-->[AuCl4]- + 3[NO2] + [HNO3}+ + 2H2O

Dissolving Platinum

A similar reaction can be written for platinum.

Pt + 4NO3- + 8H+ --> Pt4+ + 4NO2 + 4H2O

The oxidized platinum ion then can react with chlorine ions

Pt4+ + 6Cl- --> PtCl6-

Hazards

There are many hazards with working with aqua regia, please be aware of these before using any chemicals

Chemicals

The following chemicals make up aqua regia:

Properties

Aqua Regia has the following properties:

  • form: liquid
  • colour: clear-colourless --> yellow --> red
  • odour: strong
  • pH: < 1
  • oxidizer

Safety

HCl is very corrosive and reactive. Please handle HCl with extreme care. HNO3 is corrosive and reactive as well. Read over the SDS on both HCl and HNO3


Processes

  • Etching Gold
  • Etching Platinum

Checkout Procedure

  • This Procedure requires a separate checkout from the wet bench
  • Make a Helpdesk Ticket asking for training
  • Complete the SOP Quiz


Process SOPs

  • Widget text will go here.

References