Black phenyl is a dark brown or black liquid that is manufactured as a powerful disinfectant. It is most often used in hotels, hospitals, military installations, houses, and animal farms, among others. It is very powerful and can effectively disinfect even when highly diluted. For this reason, stockpiling concentrated black phenyl and diluting it with water is economically beneficial for large facilities. Just be sure to wear gloves and goggles when preparing the solution, as it can be dangerous.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare a soap solution
Step 1. Start with castor oil
Castor oil will be the base solvent for the soap solution. About 90% of the solution will be made up of castor oil. Pour the oil into a container that is safe to heat on a stove or Bunsen burner.
For example, use 890 ml of castor oil to make 1 liter of soap solution
Step 2. Prepare and add rosin
Rosin is a dry form of pine resin. It is solid and brittle at room temperature, but can melt on the stove. Heat the rosin until it is liquid. About 10% of the solution will be rosin. Pour it into the castor oil. This will give the solution a piney scent.
- For example, add 90 ml of rosin to 890 ml (30 fl oz) of castor oil to make 1 liter of soap solution.
- Rosin can be easily purchased online. You can also find small quantities at music stores, as it is commonly used for bows on string instruments.
Step 3. Add caustic soda
Caustic soda is the common name for sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. NaOH is found online and in some specialty craft stores. To make the solution, add 0.5% NaOH to a certain volume of water. You will only need a small volume of the caustic soda solution, since it will only be 1 or 2% of the total soap solution.
- In the example of 1 liter of solution, add 0.7 fl oz (20 ml) of the caustic soda solution to 30 fl oz (890 ml) of castor oil and 3 fl oz (90 ml) of rosin.
- To make 0.7 fl oz (20 ml) of caustic soda solution, add 0.1 mg NaOH to 0.7 fl oz (20 ml) of water, and slowly heat the water while stirring. When the NaOH dissolves completely, you will have a clear solution of caustic soda ready to use.
- Do not allow the caustic soda solution to cool before adding it to the soap solution.
Step 4. Heat the mixture
Heat the mixture on the stove or a Bunsen burner until it turns into soap. To test the consistency of the solution, you can dip a piece of paper inside. If it leaves an oily stain, you should heat it more.
Method 2 of 3: Add Antimicrobials
Step 1. Remove the preparation from the heat
It is not necessary to heat the solution when adding germicidal compounds. Place the mixture on a heat-resistant surface (for example, a granite counter or in a large container of sand). Be careful not to spill the soap solution.
The soap solution will make up 20% of the total phenyl black solution
Step 2. Add creosote oil
Creosote oil is a source of phenol derivatives, including carbolic acid. These compounds are necessary for the disinfecting properties of phenyl black. 13% of the phenyl black solution will be creosote oil.
- To make a 5-liter batch of phenyl black, add 22 fl oz (650 ml) of creosote oil to 1 liter of soap solution.
- Creosote oil is not a commonly available product. You will have to work with a licensed chemical supplier to obtain this ingredient.
Step 3. Use chloroxylenol
Chloroxylenol improves the germicidal properties of the phenyl black solution. It should represent 2.5% of the total solution. You can buy it through laboratory and manufacturing product vendors, or online.
- For the same 5 liter batch of phenyl black, add 4.2 fl oz (125 ml) of chloroxylenol to 22 fl oz (650 ml) creosote oil and 1 liter of soap solution.
- Like creosote oil, chloroxylenol is not available anywhere. You will have to work with a chemical supply company or medical supply company to obtain this ingredient.
Step 4. Pour into water
Water is the most abundant ingredient in Phenyl Black Sanitizer. The solution contains 64.5% water. Pour the mixture into the water while stirring slowly.
For a 5-liter batch of phenyl black, add 3 liters of water to 4 fluid ounces (125 ml) of chloroxylenol, 650 ml of creosote oil, and 1 liter of soap solution
Method 3 of 3: Dilute the Phenyl Black Solution
Step 1. Pour water into a bucket
Pouring in the water first will prevent the concentrated phenyl solution from splashing on you. You can use hot or cold water. If you want, you can use tap water.
Step 2. Add the black phenyl solution
One benefit of phenyl black as a disinfectant is that you only need a small amount. A ratio of between 1: 256 and 1:64 of phenyl black in water is appropriate. Pour the phenyl into the water.
You will only need to add between 0.14 fl oz (4 ml) and 15 ml of phenyl black solution in 1 liter of water to obtain the desired disinfecting properties
Step 3. Stir the solution
The solution should be cloudy white. After stirring for 10 to 20 seconds, let it rest. After about five minutes, stir the solution again. Now, it is ready to use.
Advice
- Never use concentrated black phenyl with other chemicals.
- Never store concentrated black phenyl in thin plastics, as thin plastic bottles will break down.
- Never mix concentrated black phenyl with bleach or acid.
Warnings
- See your doctor right away if it gets in your eyes or mouth.
- Black phenyl is toxic. Never inhale or ingest it.
- If you accidentally swallow it, call the poison center right away.
- Wear gloves whenever you work with this chemical.
- Keep out of the reach of children.