Sodium oxide (Na2O) is pretty hygroscopic and I want to determine the exact weight of the amount of material I am using? What would be the best method to go on about it?
The most reliable method. Sodium oxide is soluble in ethanol. I suggest to use Na2O as solution in absolute ethanol. And what for ?
from my experience, if the material is easy to absorb the moisture it needs to be weighed in a condition that nitrogenous or argon. Usually in the glove box. You can control the enviroment.
Hi Arani,
I would dry the Na2O in an exicator filled with concentrated H2SO4. This will absorb the H2O from the oxide in a couple of days. Then I would put the exicator together with scales in a glove box with N2-flow and weigh the oxide.
To be pedantic, Na2O is not "pretty hygroscopic". It quickly reacts with the moisture in the air to produce NaOH which deliquesces - a 10th grader should know this. What is your source of Na2O? Is it stored in a vial under N2 or does it come (like N metal) under an oil? And why would you want to weigh it out? What does it do that NaOH does not do? This not something you'd want to contact with any part of your skin - you'll get serious burns.
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