Is there an easy way to produce pure carbon in the classroom?

The following procedure produces reasonably pure carbon.

Hold a clean tin can upside down over a candle flame and collect a heavy layer of soot. Tap the soot into another can with just a tiny hole in the top. Heat it strongly several times over a gas flame to drive off the impurities (but not so strongly that you burn up all the carbon). You should have reasonably pure carbon in the end.

Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu

Copyright © 1997-2005 by Fred Senese
Comments & questions to fsenese@frostburg.edu
Last Revised 07/31/07.URL: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/inorganic/faq/lampblack.shtml