LUMA Research

Glow sticks

Sodium hypochlorite+Hydrogen Peroxide are the chemicals for a glow stick's light. One is in the glass tube which is inside the plastic tube. Inside the plastic tube itself, the other is. Also in the glass tube is the dye which changes the colour of the light.

Phenyl Oxalate ester and a fluorescent dye are in the plastic tube and in the glass tube inside of the glow stick is the hydrogen peroxide or the activator. When you snap the glow stick you are breaking the glass inside the glow stick and mixing the two together. When the two mix, they create two new compounds, phenol and peroxy acid ester. Peroxy acid ester is unstable and because of that it decomposes and produces more phenol. It also produces a cyclic peroxy compound, which decomposes to carbon dioxide. 

This decomposition releases energy to the dye. The electrons in the dye’s atoms jump to a higher level, then fall back down, releasing energy in the form of light. The other chemicals in the fluorescent dye determine the color of this light. Warmer temperatures will speed up the reaction but it won't last as long. That's why putting glow sticks in the fridge slows the process and stays lit longer.

Script for LUMA

Today I will be talking about glow sticks and how they work

The chemicals used in glow sticks can burn the eyes, irritate the skin and burn the mouth and throat if swallowed so that is why we scientists use eye protection, wear lab coats and gloves.

Glow sticks are made up from two different components, the inner glass tube and the outer plastic tube. The inner glass tube in the glow stick contains the fluorescent dye and the Phenyl Oxalate ester. In the outer tube there is hydrogen peroxide. 

When you bend the tube, you are breaking the glass tube and making the two chemicals mix. The two chemicals mix together and with the dye creates a glow. When the two mix, they create two new compounds, phenol and peroxy acid ester. Peroxy acid ester is unstable and because of that it decomposes and produces more phenol. It also produces a cyclic peroxy compound, which decomposes to carbon dioxide. This decomposition releases energy to the dye. The electrons in the dye’s atoms jump to a higher level, then fall back down, releasing energy in the form of light.

Glow stick are fun and all but is bad for the environment. The plastic tubing is good for the bending but its just not the right material. I'm looking into making environmentally-friendly glow sticks for everyone to enjoy. Plastic releases toxic chemicals into the air when it starts to decompose. The same CAN'T be said about the glass. Glass does decompose slower but it doesn't release chemicals into the air.

Thank you for listening in.