Chemistry cyanotype Experiment
Introduction:
The initial step of the procedure involves carefully blending two key solutions: ferric
ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. When these solutions are combined, they
demonstrate their ability to detect and encapsulate the core characteristics of the subject,
initiating the subsequent steps of analysis with accuracy and thoroughness.
Hypothesis:
We predict that when we mix ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide with a
sample, we'll see a noticeable change. This change might be a different colour, cloudiness,
or the formation of solid bits. These changes will show us if the solution can pick up and
show what's special about the sample.
Materials:
1. Ammonium ferric citrate-2.5 gram
2. Potassium ferric cyanide- 1 gram
3. 10 ml of distilled water
4. 2 beakers
5. 300 gsm of paper
6. 10-20 ml of hydrogen peroxide
7. Half tray water
8. 6 packets of coffee 2.1 grams
9. 100 ml of water
10. Bleach
11. Medium-sized paint brush
12. Photoshop
13. Printer
Procedure
For preparing the negatives
1. First, create two images using your preferred image editing software. One image
should have normal saturation, while the other should have 50% more saturation.
Adjust the saturation levels accordingly.
2. Once the images are edited to your satisfaction, flatten them to ensure that all layers
are merged into a single layer.
3. Save a copy of each of the two images. This ensures that you have the original
images preserved for future use.
4. Open each image and navigate to the Channels panel. Select "Split Channels" to
separate the image into its RGB (Red, Green, Blue) channels.
5. Apply a red negative layer for cyan and a blue negative for yellow. Delete the green
negative completely as it is not necessary for the experiment.
6. Apply colour-specific calibration for each image
7. Invert each of the calibrated grayscale images. This means switching from black to
white and vice versa. This step prepares the images for printing negatives.
8. Print each inverted image onto transparent film using a printer capable of producing
high-quality negatives. Ensure that you print the negatives at the desired size for your
final print.
For preparing the cyanotype
1. In separate beakers, dissolve 2.5 grams of Ammonium ferric citrate in 5 ml of distilled
water, and dissolve 1 gram of Potassium ferric cyanide in another 5 ml of distilled
water.
2. Combine both solutions into a single beaker and gently stir until they completely
dissolve and form a homogeneous solution.
3. Dip a medium-sized paintbrush into the solution and evenly coat the 300 gsm paper
with the solution.
4. Prepare a mixture of 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide with half a tray of water.
5. Place the painted paper under UV light for 5 minutes, ensuring the negative images
are on the paper during exposure.
6. After UV exposure, immerse the paper in a solution of white vinegar and water with a
pH of 6 for 5 minutes to develop the image.
7. Rinse the paper thoroughly in 3% hydrogen peroxide to give a darker shade of blue
8. Allow the paper to air dry until it achieves a dark blue colour.
9. To bleach the image, submerge the paper in bleach for 5 minutes until the blue colour
disappears,
10. Then dry for 6 to 7 hours until you get a shade of yellow depending on bleach
concentration.
Results
The images above show that most of the negatives came in blue color however the ones on
the left turned yellow. The pens that tuned yellow had the correct concentration of bleach
anf vinegar when washing them. The blue ones were exposed to sodium carbonate bleach
solution which turned them white instead of yellow
Errors and challenges
1. Human error in the calculating concentration of bleach
2. Making the negative correct
3. Checking the concentration for all the substances
4. Coating the papers correctly
5. Putting it under the UV for the correct amount of time
Conclusion
The experiment showed us that the concentration of substances has a massive impact on
what the color of the cyanotype will turn out to be. The experiment would have been done
faster if it weren’t for the human errors. The experiment taught us how the paper absorbs the
molecules from the varius solution hence changing the color of the image from the inside
out.
Picture & videos drive link
