Copper Electroplating - The Sci Guys: Science at Home

Welcome to science at home in this experiment we are exploring copper electroplating by coating a nail with copper. Copper electroplating requires electricty to polarize a metal that will attract copper ions. Copper electroplating is used in jewelry and to help prevent corrosion. At the end of this episode you will be able to demonstrate copper electroplating, explain why the copper ions coat the nail and explain the process of copper electroplating.
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Equipment and Ingredients:
Water
Root Killer (Copper Sulfate)
Mason Jar with Lid
Kitchen Scale
Metal Cleaner
2 AA Batteries
2 Alligator Clip Wires
Electrical Tape
Non Galvanized Nail
Dust Mask
Goggles
Nitrile Gloves
Apron or Lab Coat
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[@Dontfearthereaper001]

This is the most straight forward explanation of electroplating. Thank you.

[@Rafał-l3r]

Watching videos on KZbin, I became interested in the topic of galvanization. I decided to experiment a bit with it, but something isn't working, and I don't know where I made a mistake. I tried copper plating and nickel plating various objects, but I'll describe my problem using the example of a hammer I attempted to copper plate. First, I sandblasted the hammer, then cleaned it in an ultrasonic cleaner, and degreased it with extraction benzine. In the next step, I soaked the hammer for a few minutes in 30% hydrochloric acid. Then, I placed the hammer in a solution of distilled water (about 2 liters) and 3 tablespoons of copper sulfate, adding about 10 ml of vinegar. I set the current according to the KZbin instructions - 1A per dm³. For me, it came out to 0.5A, but I set it to 0.4A (I also tried 1A and 0.1A). The effect is that instead of covering the object with copper, a dark brown deposit forms on it, which can be easily rinsed off with running water after removing it from the bath, leaving the hammer bare and sandblasted as before the bath. What am I doing wrong? PS. I also tried a solution without vinegar, just copper sulfate and distilled water.

[@e-lessonsbyali5513]

How do electrons flow through the electrolyte? I believe only movement of ions to the oppositely charged electrodes is the reason of current flowing through the liquid. Electrons only travel through the metal (electrodes and wire) and are "picked up" by the positive ions at cathode, and negative ions "drop" electrons at anode.

[@phrogge1495]

So true

[@PhilGandFriends]

You are correct. Electrons don't flow though the electrolyte. This is an example of current flow by positively charged particles.

[@idontknow-vr7ut]

W 0:35 TBALD GIUY = P[;

[@rashimmakkar6451]

SciGuys, you manage to make difficult concepts easy. I love your experiments. Can you do a video on the working of a dry cell?

[@BP-kz7rh]

Thank you The Sci Guys for this video. It's really helpful.

[@snabbott]

Cool video! My dad has been in the electroplating (particularly copper) business for as long as I can remember. Fun fact: The nail would form a (very) thin layer of copper without the electric current because iron (and zinc and aluminum) reduces Cu2+.

[@TheSciGuys]

+Stephen Abbott Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching all our videos!

[@prelwitz13]

I'm restoring a very rare and sentimental folding knife. I would like to coat the blade and copper. I am a gourmet mushroom grower and we'll be using the knife to cut through mushrooms so it's pretty soft stuff. I've watched a lot of plating videos where the copper tends to rub off somewhat but I've heard there's way not to rub off. Do you have any suggestions for the solution, voltage, time, or how many dips? Would be greatly appreciated MycoMitch.com

[@rahulmaurya3886]

LOL the only thing we use over here in our LAB is a lab coat. THATS IT XDXD.

[@timmer9lives]

Copper doesn’t really plate well to steel, unless you’re using cyanide. I’m thinking it’s more etched than electroplated. In fact, you didn’t show removal and wiping of the nail and I’m betting most of it wiped off. To plate steel without cyanide, use a nickel electroplate process. Much more durable.

[@saucyballs702]

I had to find that out the hard way. As soon as I dipped the iron nail in copper sulphate, it was coated with copper even without electricity. However that copper would come off as soon as I wiped it with a piece of cloth. It does not matter how long the electricity is applied the copper electroplating does not stay on the nail. Moreover, the deposited copper turns black within a few minutes. I guess that's copper oxide. Deposition of copper is not electroplating. These pseudo scientists are selling a snake oil and we are buying it.

[@memssworld4117]

Thanq gentlemens .. You made me understand on electroplating.❤️

[@TheSciGuys]

Hey Everyone, we had to re-upload this video. We discovered and error in the animation, although subtle, that we needed to fix. Sorry for any confusions over this appearing in your feed again. We hope you will thumb it up and comment again :)

[@tammycaplinger9749]

The Sci Guys I have a question, what if I wanted to copper plate only in a specific area but not the whole thing such as putting my initials on a metal tumbler? Is that possible?

[@eunicelim910]

It's possible, but will be harder..

[@robertplandon]

Rather late reply. But, you could mask off the areas you don't want to coat with nail varnish. Then, after completing the copper plating, remove the nail varnish with acetone (nail varnish remover).

[@Joshua_Gobindah]

Try electrolysis with two copper electrodes with the same procedure you guys did.

[@johncplum7524]

Potash

[@hunarali3792]

thank you sir it was very helpful in my school projects very thanx.😊😊😊

[@dxrken_8727]

I think you should also make a video about galvanic cell

[@UnknownPerson-cl9di]

I loved the video and explanation, thanks

[@elkakafilterstainless9151]

I made copper solution of vinegar n copper cable.. Then i do copper plating on iron material,, the copperplating result was looked good but thw bad side; so easy to washed away by water. Please, need ur input.

[@Hasan-cu5sd]

They holding CUSO4 as if it is uranium and why a respirator 😂🤣

[@davemwangi05]

Hehehehehe, that's so funny

[@fedai1196]

lmao that is what i thought. he looks like a scared kid. Even me with my mad friend while working with acids and cyanide we had a lot of accidents. My mad friend Accidentally poured cyanide on skin , had a lot of tragedies with concentrated sulfuric acid, and he even dipped his hand in nitric acid and licked it for taste LOL but nothing happened yet cause we know what we are doing and which chemicals are a lot dangerous and actually how dangerous are they unlike compared to stupid common overrated hazard knowledge

[@davemwangi05]

@@fedai1196 About the nitric acid, and sulfuric, how long did the hand stay in contact with the acid?

[@wkhays]

Divad Ignawm He's joking.

[@SecretSk8Footage]

copper sulfate is harfmul by ingestion - it destroys your liver and kidneys - pretty hazardous actually

[@sukumaranp.s4500]

Thanks for the information 🥰 This helped me a lot for my experiment.

[@noorsaba3428]

hey guys...the video was great...but can u make a video explaining electrolysis

[@TheSciGuys]

+noor saba the very first video we made was on electrolysis :) check it out on our chanel

[@RJHizzlo]

Damn +The Sci Guys!!!! Back At it again with another awesome video!!!!

[@OctoDork]

a great video and very informative :) Thank you so much for sharing!

[@The52brandon]

Out of curiosity, what benefit is a dust mask in this scenario? I can fully understand a respirator, but wouldn't caustic gas just build up around you and end up being inhaled via the gaps between the mask and your face? Though in fairness, there haven't been any caustic gasses any time I've electroplated, or reverse electroplated, and metals. Though I'm sure stuff like chrome won't be as gentle on the lungs

[@darthvader5300]

Copper sulfate is used as the electrolyte to conduct power and transfer copper to the NEGATIVE cathode from the POSITIVE anode using D.C power.

[@swampy6969]

breh, this is better than my science textbook

[@gambangtekop9910]

It was really really weird. I has followed your instruction, from Copper sulfat solution and i used battery 3.3 v for the supply. But the result that i got is not the same like what you did. My cathode ( iron that i want plating) was plated with black gel. Did i Miss something from here?

[@temporaryname4121]

What happened was a single replacement reaction where your iron was reacting with the CuSO4 and depositing elemental copper.

[@muhammadamin2665]

Thanks for this video good informative thank a lot

[@N-T1856]

Coool but iam curious, I have questions 1) how to make the process fast, like increasing the concentration of copper sulphate? 2) can I use it in 3d Printing by applying graphite layer on it and then performing electroplating?

[@Luffytaro72]

Hey....!!!! Plz make a vdo on discharging of charges....like it happens in a Thunderstorm...

[@shwetarai2585]

Thank you very much

[@jaynorman8762]

What is in the metal cleaning powder that is used in this process?

[@adityaarchi]

Can you guys , please make a video of electrorefining of pure and impure copper ?

[@LiamNoir]

Electrons do not travel through electrolytes. The suggestion at 3:50 that they do is incorrect and misleading. In this example, the source of electrons in the circuit is from the copper pipe, the electrons are received from Cu2+ ions. You could say there is a flow of cations in the electrolyte, but not electrons.

[@LEO-xo9cz]

Can this solution be made using just pieces of copper?

[@anthonytuttle3306]

You guys take safety seriousl!

[@saucyballs702]

Humans are not afraid of the dark, they are afraid of the unknown. I guess they are afraid because they do not know what they are dealing with.

[@NotAGoodUsername360]

You joked about electroplating yourself to get Collossus skin being a terrible idea, but is skin even conductive enough for the process to work? As in, would it be possible to coat, say, a steak in copper or zinc and completely coat it? Obviously the acid would corrode the organic material, but that should take a while for the reaction to complete

[@ScienceWithJames]

NotAGoodUsername360 The extremely minute amount of sulfuric acid made would not be nearly enough to be corrosive. However, copper sulfate is toxic. So it would not be a good idea.

[@nadkok]

If you coat the nail longer or twice, will the layer be extra thick or will it just dissolve again

[@notpsycho4]

That was amazing 👍👍👍

[@deanthomas9225]

Here's a question; Take an woman's acrylic finger nail coated with something to adhere to. Could a process be made safe enough to plate such a nail while it is attached to the finger by means of super glue? Would there be any pain or damage to the skin? If you could answer I would be grateful.

[@fabuloustulip4889]

love this

[@andrewfong4216]

I don't believe that free electrons are the charge carriers through the copper sulfate solution. The cupric positive ions are the charge carriers. When they reach the nail, they are neutralized by two electrons coming from the circuit to form metallic copper with no charge. At the other electrode (copper pipe) a copper atom at the surface donates two of its electrons to the electrode, and then becomes a cupric ion that departs into the solution. If you don't have a piece of copper pipe, you can use a length of pure copper wire instead.

[@niharikatanwar862]

Nice video. I tried the same and my experiment was successful.

[@Oms7576]

Tahnk you so much

[@HazzShane-cr5yy]

nile red would be proud.

[@maitrichoudhari4978]

thank u to show the experiment

[@fredwild190]

Good video. What electrical resistance would you expect through the electrolytic cell? Thank you.

[@christopherlyons7613]

Question. What role does the DC voltage used have? If you were to use a larger voltage what affect would that have? How thick of a copper coat can you get? If you leave it in solution for a longer time will that increase the copper layer? What are some guidelines for length of time left in solution? How long will the prepared copper sulfate solution be useable? Are there any ways you can determine if the solution needs to be changed? The piece of copper used to grab copper ions from will last for how long? I do stained glass work and would like to copper plate my pieces (basically plating copper onto solder seams (60% tim & 40% lead)). Can this be ramped up to allow me to do that? With a larger piece being plated, do you have to use a higher voltage? And how would time left in solution vary as your piece size increases? Appreciate any Info. Thanks.

[@randytravis3998]

other videos I have watched say that the part needs to be nickel plated before copper plating .. if not the copper will not work or hold up ..

[@kunangichan142]

Why must the non-galvanised nail be properly scrubbed and cleaned prior to it being electroplated?

[@nbalfour4241]

Great video! Do you know if it’s possible to electroplate copper onto nickel brass? I’m trying to figure out the process by experimenting with different techniques but haven’t had any luck.

[@SANJAYMishra-jp6uz]

Thanks

[@bretdegayner8934]

Lots of videos on copper plating, but I can't find any on polishing the raw copper after its plated. It's dull and rough and I need to know the steps to make it shine.

[@NoSpace4Bass]

Cool, Now how to get the copper to actually adhere to the iron? (without cyanide solutions)

[@ryanslabandtheworldofchemi3690]

NoSpace4Bass You just need to lower the current ( amps ) and keep the metal in the solution for more time , so that the copper layer can build up and sticks to the surface to the metal . If you use a high current and a long time bath it will form copper cristals instead , so make sure you don't use a high current . You can use a simple 1.5v carbon - zinc battery and by keeping it for a couple hours you should end up with a nice coating of thick copper . Good luck for you ! ; )

[@frjoseph100]

How should I dispose of the solution when finished?

[@neutronpcxt372]

@@frjoseph100 You can do 2 things, or 3 if you are a bit risky: 1. Dump it in the sink with LOTS OF WATER. Lots if needed to lower the concentration of copper acetate. 2. Boil off all of the water to get copper crystals. You can dispose of it in the trash. 3. Dilute it and put it in your garden where you don't want plants.

[@kuljitsinghmatharoo8481]

Very nice

[@poongkodipoongkodi6117]

I'm Malaysian and I'm 14years old I'm doing in my home it's work it!!!!!

[@oajbidnurkar808]

Good! Create more videos to provide us info

[@LordMarinade]

What is that animation? I think electrons always flow from the positive pole to negative pole. The way you explained it looks like they go from - to + and then the current flow makes no sense.

[@TheTbird35]

Hello, great information in a very distinct form. My question is is it possible or dangerous to mix a copper sulfate such as root kill into a pre-existing copper anode solution of distilled vinegar?

[@JagdeepRamgarhia]

We can use tap water + table salt, instead of copper sulphate +water, right

[@sreelakshmi8659]

Awesome explanation..! What direction does electricity flow; from positive to negative or from negative to positive...??

[@linzelj]

In reality the electrons flow OUT of the negative electrode [cathode] towards the positive electode [anode]. However, as another commentor stated, when theories about electricity and electrons began, scientists at the time arbitrarily stated the 'particle' [unknown at the time] moved from pos to neg. Because the positive charge is locked into the nucleus, and the electron is the particle that moves, we now know the electrons flow from neg to pos. HOWEVER, if someone is talking about CONVENTIONAL current , they are talking about how the HOLE where the electron WAS [after it moves] is a POSITIVE hole. The POSITIVE HOLE moves from pos to neg.] in the opposite direction of the electron flow. There are videos on youtube that will demonstrate this.

[@kunangichan142]

Where do you think the electrons moving up through the copper tubing come from?

[@_ytuser11]

Still why we want to use a copper rod if we can cover the nail with copper from electrolysis of copper sulphate because as simple, electricity will break the electrolyte,copper and sulpher so sulpher should get attracted to the copper rod.Please tell

[@ACM-nl7fv]

Is there a book you guys recommend for copper electroplating on 3D prints (PLA filament with graphite conductive paint)? I am going to start experimenting with small items 3D printed items first but I am trying to work up to plating larger items like a jewelry box for my mom and a Halo helmet that I printed full-size. I'm trying to understand the ratio of water and the amount of power I would need for something that would fit in a 5 gallon bucket (and the amount of copper required to achieve some level of coating). Or, if I should simply consider some sort of surface brush application technique. If I am ever successful, I will post something. I just do this for a hobby.

[@jean-philippefranko6896]

at [3min45s] : sorry guys but electrons can't swim ;) . They don't travel through the copper sulfate solution. You have to consider the chemical reactions occuring on each electrode and the ions migration due to the electric fields. Thanks for your great work anyway :)

[@rampekt]

Hello! What are the exact proportions of the solution?

[@grupinfractionalorganizatp5003]

the crome plating can be made on a metal without coper first? how you know - the liquid blue are can be throw because are not plating ,by color ?

[@MrJMont21]

How do you know the electrons are travelling from the negative electrode to the positive and not the other way around?

[@brandonparr6345]

Because the solution is the catalyst

[@sorsorscience0787]

Im 12 years old and ive done some crazy chemistry experiments(like legitimate things like NaOH) but my parents are scared that there are more things in root away that will kill me.

[@TheSciGuys]

+Sor Sor Science07 The ingredients in root killer may vary depending what country you live in. The only ingredient in the root killer we used was copper sulfate, which is VERY corrosive. In our video we explain that this isn't an experiment we want younger viewers to do and it should only be done by adults for demonstration purposes. So I will have to side with your parents, if they are scared that you may be harmed then I would suggest respecting their wishes and either have them do it or find a different experiment to do. Sorry if that isn't the answer you were hoping for but I would hate to hear that you were injured or worse trying this experiment out on your own.

[@ScienceWithJames]

The Sci Guys Copper sulfate is not that corrosive. It is toxic, however it is not as corrosive as most acids. It is actually quite safe if you wear proper safety gear, and don't eat it. There are much harsher chemicals out there. This chemical is actually packed with chemistry sets meant for 11+ year olds.

[@chrispfeif5552]

Thanks Heisenbergs, is this too thin to polish to a shine later? how long would it take to plate for this? thanks

[@portsouth]

I did this to the letter and the object I was electroplating turned out with a crude copper plate that was all dark and didn't look anything like copper? The only thing I can think of is if the cathode and anode touched each other but I know they didn't.

[@ARCSTREAMS]

maybe you already learned this by now but here goes just in case,,first of all there solution is missing some ingredients,most importantly is an acid so you need citric acid , vinegar and some salt to go along with the root away,you can skip the root away and add distilled water and vinegar but you also need some hydrogen peroxide to get the copper flowing and turning the solution a green color,,next you can not just use a steel nail no matter how much you clean it the copper will not adhere and will rub away and all you have is a copper or brownish or dark mud coating on the nail that rubs off,,if you plan to copper plate then you will need to either do a nickel strike first or be sure the part is already nickel plated and you might need to use a fine iron wool to scrub the surface and decrease it first before you start plating,,hope this helped ,if you got any q's let me know

[@aleezagill4988]

Which electrolyte solution is best for titanium electrodeposition on stainless steel?

[@saraswathy296]

Perfect 👌

[@kishore2795]

Hey, I really like your video and got some new ideas. I have a question that, can we like rust nail? and if possible can we measure it??

[@nobackhands]

I am trying copper electroplating but getting electroforming...any recommendations

[@KV_talks]

What is maximum thickness can achieve and what is the range of thickness good for industrial use part

[@adinshankar7549]

PLEASE EXPLAIN WITH EXAMPLE CVD PROCESS

[@elsaannageorge1896]

Is it necessary to use a non-galvanized nail ??

[@sunenadeswal2292]

Q- what about the sulphate ions will they move towards anode?? Plz answer

[@sanb3586]

Hello can you tell me the mixing ratios of Copper Sulphate and water ???

[@merrymary6542]

Really good instructions - thanks. I want to electroplate a "zinc alloy" pendant with copper. Will this process work? Should I coat the piece with conductive paint first or isn't that necessary since I doubt that it's galvanized?

[@mookfaru835]

All metals are good conductors

[@bharathirajesh4369]

Name the electrolyte used in this video

[@harishlathia9926]

good succinct

[@D4rrag00nXD]

Why don't u just dip the zinc nail into to the weed killer solution and let it coat?

[@klebsartstudios]

and after plating a steel nail, wiping it will remove all the copper off.

[@AshokRajpilli]

is there a way we can plate even if i wipe it should not come off ?

[@deirdreginley]

Seriously. No battery acid??

[@MaveTheRedd]

we tried this in school and the water turned completely green

[@Epicdio01]

How do I make a cobalt chrome nickel solution for electroplating

[@UnknownPerson-cl9di]

What happens if you apply too much voltage? like 12v or smth?

[@shitheadjohnson2797]

how long does it take to get a well adhered 1 mm?

[@9iron642]

Can this process be used on aluminum?

[@leonardo1480]

after copper plating an object, can the copper plated item be polished up without the copper plating coming off?

[@neutronpcxt372]

Yes, but you would a thick coating, so wait for it to coat for about 2-24 hours depending on how thick you want the coating.

[@jimmy2dub]

No Sulphuric acid in the solution? I always thought that was necessary?

[@TheSciGuys]

+Jim Grant you're right, no sulphuric acid needed.

[@neutronpcxt372]

Yeah. You just need an acid to work, like vinegar, or muriatic acid.

[@anushbijoor3415]

What's the time duration to see deposition of copper on nail??? Please I need help

[@dumitrymd5557]

It is possible elecroplating aluminium?

[@shahidansari875]

How much chloride we need to maintain in acid copper plating bath??

[@victorhowto2083]

can u make a slayer exiter tesla coil

[@donaldcampbell7894]

You made something way too complicated that does not even really work. If you’re gonna do a video makes something everybody can do. hence the best part of KZbin.

[@hamzabilal9124]

Hi guys, can I please know if this will be more of a physics or a chemistry thing if I vary the current to the power supply to see the effect in mass gain and mass loss of the cathode and the anode respectively.

[@ashwynn4177]

How is this different from electroforming?

[@kumarasiriperera2403]

How long will it take??

[@realflow100]

Can you copper plate aluminum? Can I just use a chunk of copper. and some aluminum. distilled water. and baking soda and a variable voltage and current power supply to hook up to them? I want a durable thick but not TOO thick layer of copper on the aluminum surface. so that if it gets scratched a little it wont expose the aluminum.

[@sangrambeura436]

good

[@TANVEERAHMAD-wc9vk]

have to i change copper piece and copper sulfate after how many time ? Please tell me Thanks

[@DarthAlgar5]

Can you do this with titanium?