CHEMISTRY PRACTICALS

Preparation of Potash Alum from

Scrap Aluminium

DONE BY
R. SANJAY & J. KESHAV
Table of Contents
[Link] Page no Topic

1 3 Objectives
2 4 Introduction
3 9 Properties of Alum
4 10 Effect of Water
5 11 Effect of Alkali
6 13 General properties
7 14 Materials required
8 15 Procedure
9 17 Precautions
10 18 Uses of Alum
11 23 Potential uses
12 26 Bibliography
Objective
 To understand behaviour of Alum
and its structure- Analysis the
Physical and Chemical Properties of
Alum.
 To study the experiments and
researches done on the potash alum in
deducing various factors like size,
shape, structure etc.
 To Study the reaction involving in
the preparation of Alum from Scarp
Aluminium.
 To study the procedure of the
preparation of Alum.
 To know the Uses of Alum.
 To understand the hazards of
potash alum
 To know its safe manufacturing
and use.
 Introduction to Potash Alum
Potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate (potash
alum), which has the chemical formula
KAl(SO4)2·12H2O, belongs to a large family of
isotopic compounds called alums. The general
formula of alums family is M1+ M3+
(XO4)2·12H2O where M1+ is a monovalent cation
(NH4, K, Rb, Cs, Na) and M3+ is a trivalent cation
(Al, Ga, In, Cr, Fe), X = S, Se.

The crystal structures of alums have the cubic

system, Pa3 space group and four formula units in
the unit cell. These structures are divided into three
types α, β and γ because the atomic arrangements are
different . Potash alum, KAl(SO4)2·12H2O, belongs
to the type of α-alums and its lattice constant
a = 12.157 Å.
The water molecules are eliminated from
KAl(SO4)2·12H2O when heating it to 510 K (237
°C) and the heated sample becomes crystalline
KAl(SO4)2.

BASIC
STRUCTURE

Kishimura found a phase transition from a

crystalline to an amorphous phase of
KAl(SO4)2·12H2O when heating it at 180 °C for 2
h. They found also that the anhydrous potash alum,
KAl(SO4)2, can be obtained by heating
KAl(SO4)2·12H2O powder at 500 °C for 2 h.
They reported in another work that the structural
phase transition from crystalline to amorphous phase
of KAl(SO4)2·12H2O began at around 75 °C and
this phase remained to approximately 180 °C. Then,
the anhydrous KAl(SO4)2 appeared at 180 °C and
above.
 Crystallization of potash alum and the effects of
some conditions on the growth rate of this crystal
were the subjects of many publications.
Potash alum has been used in many applications like
food additive, antiperspirants, cleansing products
and skin care products. Furthermore, it has been
used in Raman laser converters and potential
applications in optical limiting and switching.
Hemalatha reported that Potassium aluminium
sulphate dodecahydrate crystal belongs to cubic
system with the space group Pa3, lattice constant
a = 12.24 Å and Z = 4.
They, also, reported that the conductivity of this
crystal at 308 K is 3.154 × 10−10 S/cm. Gu and Li
found that potassium alum crystals are colored
electrolytically below 100 °C and under various
voltages using a pointed cathode and a flat anode.
Recently, some papers used potash alum in new
medical applications. Z.M Ali studied the
antimicrobial effects of alum and coalescence
between alum and antibiotics to killing
microorganisms. This makes alum perfect antibiotics
for severe wounds.

In this study, it was found that potash alum salt

inhibits growth of the bacteria, its antibacterial effect
increases with its concentration and it has excellent
antimicrobial inhibitory effects on microorganisms
especially commixed with antibiotics.
Uzkul and Alkan dyed the silk fabric by using green
walnut shell extract which has an antimicrobial
effect and they used potash alum as mordant. Wang
and Lu used potash alum to fabricate oral ulcer
powder and they studied it by temperature-
dependent X-ray diffraction technique.
To the best of our knowledge, the studies on potash
alum crystal are little in terms of some important
physical properties like electrical and optical
properties.
In addition, some important constants and
parameters of this crystal are not calculated yet.
Also, some constants and parameters of potash alum
crystal will be calculated for the first time in near
future .

Properties of Potash Alum

 Physical Properties
It is a white crystalline substance. It is merged with
water and is dissolved in alcohol. The alum solution
in water is acidic.

 Chemical Properties
Effect of heat:
On heating to 92°C, it melts and crystal water is
released and the dry matter remains which is called
burnt alum.
K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O → Al2O3 + K2O +
4SO3 + 24H2O
Effect of water:
It dissolves in water and it gets divided into its ions
according to the ionic principle. The properties of a
solution depend only on the properties of the ions
present in it.
* K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O → K2SO4 +
Al2(SO4)3 + 24H2O
* K2SO4 ⇌ 2K+ + SO42—Al2(SO4)3 ⇌
2(Al^3+) 3(SO4^2–)
In addition to ionization of aluminum sulphate in the
presence of water, its water decomposition also
occurs.
* Al2(SO4)3 + 6H2O ⇌ 2Al(OH)3 +
3H2SO4
Al(OH)3 and H2SO4 are formed due to water
decomposition of aluminum sulfate, which is weak
alkali and strong acid respectively. Hence, the
aqueous solution of alum is acidic.

Effect of alkali:
White precipitate of aluminium hydroxide is
obtained by adding NaOH solution to alum
solution, which dissolves in excess of NaOH.
* K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O → K2SO4 +
Al2(SO4)3 + 24H2O
* Al2(SO4)3 + 6NaOH → 2Al(OH)3 +
3Na2SO4
* Al(OH)3 + NaOH → NaAlO2 + 2H2O
Similarly, white precipitate of aluminum hydroxide
is also obtained by adding KOH solution to alum
solution. Which dissolves in excess of KOH to form
potassium meta aluminate(KAlO2).
Alum also gives a white precipitate with NH4OH.
By filtering and separating this white precipitate,
Al2(SO4)3 is obtained when dissolved in H2SO4
and alumina is obtained on heating.

* K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O → K2SO4 +
Al2(SO4)3 + 24H2O
* Al2(SO4)3 + 6NH4OH → 2Al(OH)3 +
3(NH4)2SO4
* 2Al(OH)3 + 3H2SO4 → Al2(SO4)3 +
6H2O
General Properties Of Alum
 Materials Required

 250ml Conical flask

 Funnel
 Breaker
 Scarp Aluminium piece
 KOH
 6M H2 SO4
 Procedure
1)Clean a small piece of scrap aluminium with
steel wool and cut it very small piece.
Aluminium foil may be taken instead of scarp
aluminium.
2)Put the small piece of scrap aluminium or
aluminium foil (about 1.00g) into a conical
flask and add about 50ml of 4M KOH solution
to dissolve the aluminium. The Flask may be
heated gently in order to facilitate dissolution.
Since during this step Hydrogen gas is
evolved, this step must be done in a well –
ventilated area. Continue heating until all of
the aluminium reacts. Filter the solution to
remove any insoluble impurities and reduce
the volume to about 25ml by heating.
3)Allow the Filtrate to cool. Now add slowly
6M H2SO4 until insoluble Al(OH)3just forms
in the solution.
 4)Gently heat the mixture until the
Al(OH)3percipate dissolves. Cool the
resulting solution in a ice-bath for about 30
minutes whereby alum crystals separate out.
For Better results the solution may be left
overnight for the crystallisation to continue. In
Case the crystals do not form the solution may
be further concentrated and cool again.
5)Filter the crystal form the solution using a
vacuum pump; wash the crystal with 50/50
ethanol-water mixture. Continue applying the
vacuum until the crystals appear dry.
6)Determine the mass of the Alum Crystals.
 Precautions
 To prevent aluminium sulphate
hydrolysis, dilute sulphuric acid should
be added while making the saturated
solution.
 Do not disrupt the solution during
crystallisation.
 Always use warm water to dissolve salts.
 The concentrated solution should be
gradually chilled.
 Uses of Potassium Alum
 Fire Retardant
The use of potassium alum for textiles,
wood and paperless flame resistance is a
fire-retardant.
 Tanning
For leather tanning, potassium alum is used
to extract moisture from the hide and avoid
rotting. Alum is not covered and can be
washed out, as compared to tannic acid.
 Iron and Steel Dissolving
This aluminium solution has the property
that steels are dissolved without affecting
aluminium or base metals. For machined
castings of steel parts of machinery, alum
solutions can be used.
  Gourmet Food
Potassium alum may be an acidic
component in baking powder to provide a
second leavening step at high temperatures
(although sodium alum is more widely used
for this purpose). Bakers in England made
bread whiter with alum during the 1800s.
 Blocking Chemicals
Since remote antiquity, potassium alum was
used for purifying turbid liquids. The
drinking water and industrial water systems,
effluent treatment, and post-storm lake
procedures continue to be commonly used
for the treatment of pollutants in
precipitation.
Water is applied to the domestic wastewaters
roughly 30 to 40 ppm of alum, but more
commonly to the industrial wastewater to
clump negative particles into the flocs and
float them up to the liquid bottom, or more
conveniently filter them out of liquid before
further filtration and disinfection of the
water.
 Used for Dyeing
Aluminium sulphate is also used in the
dyeing and printing of textiles. Aluminium
hydroxide is formed when the chemical is
dissolved in a large amount of water with a
neutral or slightly alkaline pH. By rendering
the dye water-insoluble, this goo aids in the
adhesion of dyes to fabric fibres.
Aluminium sulphate serves as a dye “fixer,”
combining with the molecular structure of
the dye and the cloth to ensure that the dye
does not run out when the fabric is wet.
  Medical Purposes
It’s mostly used as a deodorant and
coagulating agent for minor cuts and
abrasions (due to its antibacterial
properties). This chemical also adsorbs and
precipitates protein antigens in solution,
improving vaccination immunogenicity by
allowing the gradual release of antigen from
the vaccine depot created at the inoculation
site.
For small cuts and abrasions after shaving,
aluminium sulphate is commonly acquired
over the counter in a solid stick or powder. It
is used as a post-shaving treatment and an
astringent in styptic pencils to stop bleeding
from superficial wounds.
• Pigmentation of the Lake
Aluminium hydroxide from alum acts as a
base for most lake pigments.
  Gardening
Because aluminium sulphate is quite acidic,
it’s occasionally used to regulate the pH of
severely alkaline soils. Alum used in
gardening helps by reacting with water to
produce aluminium hydroxide and a diluted
sulfuric acid solution, which changes the
soil’s acidity. Because hydrangeas are
sensitive to soil pH, gardeners who plant
them use this property to modify the colour
of their flowers (blue or pink).
• Paper Making
It’s also used in paper sizing. The
absorbency of the paper is changed by
combining alum powder with rosin soap,
which modifies the paper’s ink-absorbing
characteristics.
 Potential uses in future
Potential use of alum for infections:
Different alum concentrations were tested
against Proteus mirabilis, which causes
urinary tract infections. The study’s findings
revealed that potential antimicrobial activity
was demonstrated by the possible loss of
bacteria motility in culture media.
Potential use of alum for platelets:
In an animal model, the antiplatelet action of
alum was investigated in terms of platelet
aggregation and bleeding time. After alum
injection, platelet aggregation was lowered.
The time it took for an animal model to
bleed after receiving an alum injection was
also much longer. The study’s findings
suggest that alum might be helpful as an
antiplatelet drug.
Potential use of alum for obesity:
In an obese animal model, oral intake of
potash alum showed a potential to cause
possible reduction of body weight, food
intake, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol,
and high-density lipoproteins. This shows
the possible anti-obesity effect. However,
more studies on humans are required to
prove such effects.
Potential use of alum for stomatitis
(inflamed mouth):
Recurrent stomatitis is caused by antibiotics,
painkillers, and other drugs. A topical
application of alum can be helpful for this
condition. It may help stomatitis and may be
administered along with honey. However,
more research is required to prove the
potential use of alum for stomatitis.
 Side Effects of Alum:
Several side effects associated with alum use
are listed below.
 Dry skin
 Skin irritation
 Dizziness
 A feeling of throat tightness
 Fluid accumulation around the eye
 Hives (red and itchy skin)
 Hypersensitivity reaction
 Life-threatening allergic reaction
 Puffy face from water retention
 Skin ulcer
 Throat swelling
 Troubled breathing
Therefore, it is advised that you do not
self-medicate and take advice from a
doctor before using alum.
 Bibliography

*The Extraction of Potash Alum From

Alunite Paperback – Import, 18 July 2023
*Handbook of Aluminum: Vol. 1: Physical
Metallurgy and Processes
*Outlines of Mineralogy, Geology, and
Mineral Analysis Volume 2
*Journal of Thermal Analysis Volume 34,
Issues 3-4
*Chemistry of Calico Printing, Dyeing, and
Bleaching
*The Chemistry of Medicines, Practical By
John Uri Lloyd · 1881