I am developing a microfluidics chip most probably made of glass or polycarbonate polymers. My experimental plans will involve the precipitation of thin Fe(Ni)S minerals along some of the channels. Since I would like to use each chip more than once, I would like to remove the precipitates after each use. Unfortunately, not a lot of information on how to do so seems to be available.
I have read methods for the removal of iron oxides using aqua regia or concentrated acids, but they seem rather aggressive and would probably also damage the Pt electrodes which will also be present on the chip.
Would any organic solvent help me at getting rid of Fe(Ni)S precipitates? If not, are you aware of any solutions that could dissolve Fe(Ni)S minerals but that woudn't damage electrodes (probably made of Pt)?
Thank you!
Maybe of some interest for your query: P.R. Klock, G.K. Czamanske, M. Foose, J. Pesek, "Selective chemical dissolution of sulfides: An evaluation of six methods applicable to assaying sulfide-bound nickel", Chemical Geology, 54(1–2) 1986, 157-162.
Thanks guys. I woud like to avoid the usage of any cleaning product containing carbon (since I intend to detect trace amounts of organic carbon in my experiments).
Some people have suggested that I could use 1M HCl; I wonder whether that would work.
I would oxidise the Fe and S first using bleach as this will increase solubility, rinse through with water then HCl. You can then rinse again with DI water and check for trace C present in the rinse water. Repeat the HCl/DI water rinse until below acceptable levels. TOC would be useful analysis for the rinse water and possible 1H NMR for 64 scans? to confirm removal of organic material.
- Badges
- Science topic