Best Way to Store Copper Acetate Solution? I am preparing to copper electroplate an ABS plastic sheet in my home and wanted to know what the best container/environment would be to store the copper acetate solution.
First, I created the solution using copper metal, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
Can I simply store this solution in a plastic container?
Should it be closed with an air-tight lid?
Would food-grade LLDPE plastic container be acceptable?
Does the color of container matter? Is black color better than clear color as it reflects more light?
Is it OK to leave it in my home at room temperature or should it be refrigerated?
Thanks!
Electroless copper plating requires a copper salt solution, of course (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroless_copper_plating), but there are many other considerations, like the reducing agent and surface preparation.
I think that storage of the homemade copper acetate solution is a minor issue in your project and a plastic container with an air-tight lid should be perfectly fine, without refrigeration, for a few years.
However, for the actual electroplating, your copper solution may not be adequately characterized. There may be excess acetic acid, other stuff from the vinegar (which could be perfectly safe to consume, but not for sensitive chemical reactions). Commercial copper salts are available inexpensively and with high purity, if the project you are working on has significant value.