What is the coffee ring of toluene and hexane?

  • Context: Undergrad 
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    Coffee Ring Solvent
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the phenomenon of coffee rings formed by droplets of toluene and hexane on a glass substrate, exploring the reasons behind the formation of these rings upon evaporation. The scope includes experimental observations and considerations of purity and cleanliness of materials involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that coffee rings are formed due to dissolved substances remaining after evaporation, questioning why similar rings appear with toluene and hexane.
  • Another participant inquires about the purity of the toluene and hexane used, suggesting that impurities may contribute to the observed phenomenon.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the cleanliness of the glass substrate and the environment where the experiment is conducted, which could affect the results.
  • A later reply confirms that the toluene is 95% pure, implying that impurities could still be present and relevant to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the purity of the solvents and the cleanliness of the experimental setup, indicating that multiple factors may contribute to the formation of the rings. No consensus is reached on the specific cause of the rings.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed information on the specific impurities in the toluene and hexane, as well as the cleanliness of the glass and the experimental environment, which may influence the results.

Yinxiao Li
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When we drop a coffee droplet and wait for it to evaporate, there is a coffee ring left. Because there is coffee dissolved in the solution, and when water can evaporate into the air, the coffee cannot evaporate and it will stay.

Therefore, if we drop one DI water droplet onto the substrate, there will be no such ring left because nothing is dissolved in the DI water.

Here comes the question: when I droplet one droplet of Toluene or Hexane onto a glass substrate, there is a ring after it evaporates! Toluene and Hexane are newly bought, and they should be good and pure. Then what does this ring come from? It means something is dissolved in the Hexane and Toluene. Any clues?
 
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Do you know the purity of your toluene or hexane?
 
Similarly, how clean is the glass? How clean is the room the glass/droplet are sitting in?
 
256bits said:
Do you know the purity of your toluene or hexane?
you are right. Toluene is 95% pure.
 

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