Sodium sulfide goop instead of flakes?

adelorenzo · Mar 13, 2018

I acquired some sodium sulfide recently on eBay. Rather than the usual yellow flakes like I expected I got this tub full of white goop which I assume is some kind of heavily concentrated solution. I tried it out and it toned my prints just fine and also had almost no rotten egg smell. I could barely detect it.

Anybody seen this before? Is it a normal way to sell sodium sulfide? It came from the EU if that makes any difference.

Gerald C Koch · Mar 13, 2018

There is also a crystalline form which is very hygroscopic which readily absorbs moisture from the air and becomes semiliquid. However that stuff looks nothing like what you have. But as long as it tones you seem safe.

MattKing · Mar 13, 2018

Anthony - care to share the source?

adelorenzo · Mar 13, 2018

I bought it from this eBay listing. Seemed like a good deal for 1 kg (with free shipping) but that was when I was expecting the dry stuff. I've sent the seller a message to see what it is that he sent me, he's been really responsive to communication so I'll let you know what I find out.

Photo Engineer · Mar 13, 2018

I have never seen Sodium Sulfide that looks like that. Does it have any odor? Na2S always has a strong odor.

PE

adelorenzo · Mar 13, 2018

Here is the response I got from the seller:

There are indeed 2 types of Sodium Sulfide (anhydrate / hydrated) which you mean is the anhydrous variant this form are flakes. These are very dangerous (self-igniting) and may only be delivered with ADR transport. This is absolutely not allowed to be sent by post in Europe.
There is also a dissolved form Sodium sulphide Hydrated also called crystal water (paste) this one you received from us.

I looked it up based on the data sheet provided, I believe that it's about a 60% solution with a molecular weight of 78.04. I'm not sure how I would translate that into an equivalent amount of dry flakes. I just dissolved a good dollop of it and it seemed to work.

adelorenzo · Mar 13, 2018

Photo Engineer said:
I have never seen Sodium Sulfide that looks like that. Does it have any odor? Na2S always has a strong odor.

It has a faint odour but nowhere near as strong as when I dissolve sodium sulfide flakes. It's also more difficult to dissolve, it's basically the consistency of chewing gum

Photo Engineer · Mar 13, 2018

Well, as suggested above, you might try toning with it. Or, dissolve some in water, say about 1%, and then dip in a piece of photographic paper in the light. It should turn black instantly.

PE

MattKing · Mar 13, 2018

That eBay listing is illustrated with a packaged powder. And yet you received a tub of "goop".
Any chance that the eBay seller sent you something in error, but thinks you got the right stuff when he answers your question?

BradS · Mar 13, 2018

reminds me of a time when I was searching eBay for some Hydroquinone and came across several listings for, ah-hem, "skin lightening cream". Weird.

Sure you didn't get some cosmetics or something?

adelorenzo · Mar 13, 2018

Well, whatever it is it tones my prints and with less rotten egg smell too. So I guess I'll use up the tub which should last me a good while.

Doremus Scudder · Mar 14, 2018

BradS said:
reminds me of a time when I was searching eBay for some Hydroquinone and came across several listings for, ah-hem, "skin lightening cream". Weird. Sure you didn't get some cosmetics or something?

Hydroquinone was the main ingredient in many skin-lightening products for years. It has mostly been banned due to concerns about carcinogenic effects and overdose (it was reportedly overused by many Asians in an attempt to lighten their entire bodies). Still, I think you can find it in some skin lighteners in some places.

Best,

Doremus

tezzasmall · Mar 14, 2018

All a bit strange to my eyes, especially when the listing states:

'The powder is securely packed in two ziplock bags.'

Terry S

RauschenOderKorn · Mar 14, 2018

Photo Engineer said:
Or, dissolve some in water, say about 1%, and then dip in a piece of photographic paper in the light. It should turn black instantly.

Wouldn´t it be better to do this under safe-light? AFAIK Sulfide will fog unexposed B&W paper.

RauschenOderKorn · Mar 14, 2018

I was just thinking that a 60% solution of Na2S should literally smell like hell, but if there is only a faint odour, it is probably something different.

Just a speculation now: If it was sodium sulfite, that would explain the lack of smell. And it would render a solution sufficiently alkali to develop exposed paper (the type with the embeded developer).

Photo Engineer · Mar 14, 2018

RauschenOderKorn said:
Wouldn´t it be better to do this under safe-light? AFAIK Sulfide will fog unexposed B&W paper.

Sodium Sulfide rapidly blackens exposed photographic materials and forms Silver Sulfide. If this material does, it proves it may very well be Sodium Sulfide. You can do it in the dark, of course, but the idea is to see it. Under a safelight is OK as long as you can see it.

PE

adelorenzo · Mar 14, 2018

tezzasmall said:
All a bit strange to my eyes, especially when the listing states: 'The powder is securely packed in two ziplock bags.'

Yeah I wasn't thrilled with getting something other than what I expected. In the end I decided I was OK with it although I did suggest the seller update his listing.

RauschenOderKorn said:
I was just thinking that a 60% solution of Na2S should literally smell like hell, but if there is only a faint odour, it is probably something different. Just a speculation now: If it was sodium sulfite, that would explain the lack of smell. And it would render a solution sufficiently alkali to develop exposed paper (the type with the embeded developer).

It's definitely sodium sulfide. I used my normal sepia toner bleach and tone process and got the same results I would expect from using dry flakes. It's a very strange looking paste but it does work.

RauschenOderKorn · Mar 14, 2018

adelorenzo said:
It's definitely sodium sulfide. I used my normal sepia toner bleach and tone process and got the same results I would expect from using dry flakes. It's a very strange looking paste but it does work.

Thanks for sharing!

Sodium sulfide goop instead of flakes?

adelorenzo

Gerald C Koch

MattKing

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adelorenzo

Photo Engineer

adelorenzo

adelorenzo

Photo Engineer

MattKing

Moderator

BradS

adelorenzo

Doremus Scudder

tezzasmall

RauschenOderKorn

RauschenOderKorn

Photo Engineer

adelorenzo

RauschenOderKorn

Sodium sulfide goop instead of flakes?

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