Sodium chloride Crystal

NaCl is well soluble in water (solubility 35.7 g/100H2O, 0C) and it is also soluble in glycerol. It is a little soluble in alcohol and liquid ammonium. It is not soluble in HCl.  

Crystal System

The space lattice of NaCl belongs to the cubic system, and its rock salt structure has a lattice constant of a=0.55870 nm and Na–Cl=0.27935 nm. The cleavage plane is (100).

Application for Spectroscopy

Sodium chloride(NaCl) is well used as a window for transmission and a specimen cell for λ: 1–17 mm, and also as a prism for λ: 2–15 mm. The apex angle of the prism used for Littrow mounting should be selected as 60°.

Production

There are two types of crystals—natural crystals (so called rock salt) and synthesized crystals. Vapor phase growth and the solution method are used to obtain small crystals. The Kyropoulus or Stockbarger method is used to grow large crystals after putting high grade materials into a crucible and melting. A crucible made of fine ceramics is possible, but using a Pt crucible is better for obtaining high pure crystals.

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