How To Make Your Own Glow Sticks

Discussion.

First, you’ll see only a small amount of chemicals are required to create the necessary solutions which then combine to GLOW in a glass container. While the glow-effect is relatively short lived, the amount of prepared A and B solutions allows for a number of repetitions of the experiment.

Supplies needed...

  • 2 liters distilled water.
  • 50 milliliters hydrogen peroxide 3% solution.
  • 0.2 grams luminol.
  • 4 grams sodium carbonate.
  • 0.4 grams cupric sulfate.
  • 0.5 grams ammonium carbonate.
  • Two containers that hold at least 1 liter of liquid each (glass beaker, glass mixing bowl, glass jar, etc).
  • Graduated cylinder (cylinder should allow you to measure out 50 milliliters and 1000 milliliters).
  • Glass stir rod or stainless steel mixing spoon.
  • Small vials or containers with lids to make into your glow sticks.

Procedure...

  1. Solution A: In one of your containers, add 50 milliliters hydrogen peroxide 3% solution to 1 liter of distilled water. Set aside for the moment.
  2. Solution B: In your other container, add 0.2 grams luminol, 4 grams sodium carbonate, 0.4 grams copper sulfate, and 0.5 grams ammonium carbonate to 1 liter of distilled water. Stir thoroughly with a glass stir rod or stainless steel mixing spoon to completely dissolve the chemicals.
  3. Pour equal amounts of both A & B solutions into a small container with a snap/twist on lid. You will see an immediate luminescent glow from the chemical reaction that will last anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds.

Tips and hints...

  1. Slowly pouring Solution A into Solution B will produce neat glowing effects that will last a little longer than quickly combining the two liquid solutions.
  2. Play around with small adjustments in the amount of dry chemicals that go into Solution B. Hint: A little extra ammonium carbonate has a neat effect when added to the final A & B mixture. Try it and see!