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Modified purification of mercuric iodide for crystal growth

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6842477

The standard procedure used in our laboratory to purify commercially available mercuric iodide consists of a sequence of steps: (1) repeated sublimation under continous evacuation, followed by (2) melting and recrystallization, and (3) a sublimation process in a closed tube. This paper describes a modification of the standard purification sequence by adding recrystallization of the mercuric iodide in hydrochloric acid. Leaching cation impurities out of mercuric iodide powder with hydrochloric acid has been practiced before by Zaletin, (V.M. Zaletin, I.H. Nozhiua, I.N. Fomin, V.T. Shystov, and N.V. Protasov, Atomic Energy 48, 169 (1980)). Our objective for the hydrochloric acid treatment was to remove nitrates and hydrocarbons which were interfering with the vapor transport during crystal growth. Results of the procedure are presented in terms of total carbon and selected ion content of the treated and untreated material. 13 refs., 8 figs., 3 tabs.

Research Organization:
EG and G, Inc., Goleta, CA (USA). Santa Barbara Operations
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-83NV10282
OSTI ID:
6842477
Report Number(s):
EGG-10282-2156; CONF-8709309-1; ON: DE88014960
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English