In: Chemistry
Disccuss what happens to copper in photochromic lenses from a redox perspective.
Photochromic lenses are a special type of glases which darken when exposed to bright light. These glases reduced the transmitted light. This phonomenon could be explained on the basis of oxidation-reduction reactions. In photochromic lenses, AgCl and CuCl crystals are added during the manufacturing of the glass while it is in the molten state and these crystals become uniformly embedded in the glass as it solidifies. Silver chloride easily undergoes redox reaction as when the light falls on it.
Oxidation half reaction:- Cl- ------> Cl + e-
Reduction half reaction:- Ag+ + e- -----> Ag
Ag atoms formed here makes a cluster and stop the transmitance of light due to which the lances becomes darken.
When the light stops fallen on these glases then Cl reacts with Cu+ and convert it to Cu+2 as follows...
Cl + Cu+ -----> Cu+2 + Cl-
Via this reaction copper stopes the chlorine atoms to escape as gaseous atoms from the matrix of the glass.
This Cu+2 ion react with Ag and oxidized it to its original state.
Cu+2 + Ag ------> Ag+ + Cu+
Lences are again transparent as silver and chlorine atoms get back to their original states.