These are instructions for making glow in the dark ink. However, the instructions are presented as a curiosity or for information only, NOT for use. Phosphorus burns on exposure to air and is very poisonous (~50 mg fatal dose). However, I suppose the ink is safer than the radioactive versions. The publisher is not responsible for any mishaps resulting from use of these instructions!
Difficulty: N/A
Time Required: Minutes
Here's How:
- Combine the oil of cinnamon and phosphorus in a small bottle.
- Cap the bottle and place it in a hot water bath.
- Heat the bottle until the ingredients have melted together. Phosphorus will not dissolve in water, but other oils may be substituted for the oil of cinnamon.
- While this ink may be suitable for a chemistry lab demonstration, it is not something the average person should attempt to make or use.
Tips:
- Phosphorus is essential for human nutrition, yet is highly toxic beyond a certain dose.
- White phosphorus will convert to red phosphorus when exposed to sunlight or heated in its own vapor. While white phosphorus phosphoresces in air, red phosphorus does not.
- Phosphorus will burn spontaneously in air and cause severe burns if it comes in contact with skin.
- There are many forms (allotropes) of phosphorus, including white or yellow, red, and black or violet.
- Cinnamon oil is irritating to the skin and harmful if swallowed in pure form.
What You Need:
- 1 oz oil of cinnamon
- 1/4 oz phosphorus
- bottle with cap
- hot water bath
