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Article #269: Chemiluminescence

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A glow stick is a sheer plastic tube that derivate of phenyl oxalate ester
produces a brilliant light. A glowstick (cyalume) and the inner brittle part
is also known as glow tube or light stick contains concentrated hydrogen peroxide.
or glow light stick. A ferocious reaction takes place on
A glow stick is typically a plastic mixing the peroxide with the phenyl
cylindrical rod about four or five inches oxalate ester. The ester is oxidized,
(10 to 13 cm) long and less than an inch giving out 2 molecules of phenol and 1
(2.5 cm) in diameter. The transparent molecule of peroxyacid ester. The
stick contains two chemical fluids in two peroxyacid decomposes spontaneously to
different compartments. The outer carbon dioxide, releasing energy that
compartment of the tube carries one excites the dye that then de-excites by
chemical fluid and the inner compartment releasing a photon. The wavelength of the
carries the other. The inner compartment photon depends on the structure of the
is brittle either made of glass or dye.
brittle plastic. Different dyes can be used to produce
The inner brittle part breaks on bending different color lights. The 9,10-bis
the glowstick and helps inter mingling (phenylethynyl) anthracene gives green
the two chemical fluids. A fierce light, 9,10-diphenylanthracene emits blue
chemical reaction takes place emitting light, 5,6,11,12-tetraphenylnaphthacene
bright light but not necessarily heat. emit red light. The glowsticks dyes
The glowsticks are used in the military, usually emit fluorescent light when
recreational driving at night, marching exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
bands at night, entertainment parties, Therefore even a spent glowstick shines
raves, concerts, dance clubs, Halloween under a black light.
eves etc. The glowsticking is the use of The other chemicals used in glow sticks
glowsticks in dance. may include sodium salicylate as a
Chemistry: catalyst, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
The phenomenon of the chemical reaction (DCHP) as a solvent, bis (phenyl)
in the glow sticks is known as oxalate, bis
chemiluminescence. The chemicals used to (2,4,5-trichlorophenyl-6-carbopentoxyphen
create the reaction in glow sticks are yl) oxalate (CPPO).
usually hydrogen peroxide and a mixture The chemical reaction gets accelerated on
of phenyl oxalate ester and the heating a glow stick and the glowstick
fluorescent dye. The fluorescent dye glows brighter, but for a shorter span.
gives the glow stick its color. The cooling on the contrary decelerates
The outer compartment of the tube the reaction that helps a sick glow
contains a mixture of the dye and a longer, but dimmer.






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