The picture above is the first step to yield the iron nanoparticles, coprecipitating FeCl3 and FeCl2 with NHOH4. It’s one of the longest and more demanding steps, because we have to let the reaction happen under a N2 a’s atmosphere at 85° C while stirring for 2 hours. We have to keep an eye at all times to check tha everything is on track, so nothing goes wrong with the nanoparticles and there’s not too much aggregation.
Mariana and I usually take turns to make rounds on the reaction, and sometimes she helps me out in a couple steps here and there. Although, today was my first step to independence making the whole batch by myself. I’m glad to see Mariana confident on my work, and I can’t believe it’s been three weeks since I’ve been part of this project.
Time goes by when you’re busy in a lab and got loads of reading waiting for you!
Sounds like you could read and keep an eye on the reaction at the same time…
That’s what I usually do, but checking the reaction every 15 minutes so can be a little distracting sometimes.