Iodine As An Ink

[dxing97]

I was wondering if it was possible to use iodine as an ink. Since iodine (which is yellow) turns purple on paper & other starchy substances, it would be really interesting. Is it possible? Will it ruin the nib? Has anyone tried it?

[lapis]

I wouldn't do it. Iodine itself is a halogen, in crystalline form just like bromine (liquid) and fluorine and chlorine (both gases). "Iodine" as you mention it is likely the conventional name (here, for a tincture) referring actually to a solution in alcohol/water. The solvent may be destructive to the insides of a pen, or at least dry it out, and worse yet, those halogens are have a very high oxidative effect, often used as a form of bleach.

 

MIke

[iliadodyssey]

I wouldn't do it. Iodine itself is a halogen, in crystalline form just like bromine (liquid) and fluorine and chlorine (both gases). "Iodine" as you mention it is likely the conventional name (here, for a tincture) referring actually to a solution in alcohol/water. The solvent may be destructive to the insides of a pen, or at least dry it out, and worse yet, those halogens are have a very high oxidative effect, often used as a form of bleach.

 

MIke

 

That said, could be interesting with a dip pen and cheap nib if it will flow properly. Would not use in a fountain pen though.

[steb]

Interesting to experiment with.... If your paper is sized with starch will make a right mess, so may need some trial there too.

[JefferyS]

It you use it on copy paper, it will turn the paper blue/black (due to the presence of starch in the paper). Then one might as well use blue black ink.

[mhphoto]

I don't think I'll be reviewing Iodine anytime soon… :roflmho:

[Gcouch]

If you do it, let us know! Sounds interesting, but I'd be too afraid to try it. Maybe in a junk pen...

[Biber]

This has been discussed before: Iodine prep solution thread

[SeeksAdvice]

I don't think I'd run that through a pen I cared about. While Iodine isn't the most reactive of halogens, it's still a halogen, with all that entails. For some reason I keep remembering having used some hydroiodic acid in college chem lab, but can't remember what we used it for.

 

If I had to hazard a guess as to the alcohol component, I'm guessing Isopropyl alcohol. Never have gotten the ethanol odor from tinctures of iodine. That in and of itself isn't good for some materials.

 

And, if one bought such tinctures in quantity, one might get some odd reactions... and I'll leave it at that. Lots of things that stuff can be used for.

 

All in all, not sure any potential benefit is worth the risks.

[RainbowBright]

How about trying it with a glass dip pen?

[psfred]

LOL, iodine is the original disappearing ink. It will be purple/black to start with, but with time the iodine evaporates and the cellulose and starches return to their original color, with no trace at all that there was ink there.

 

Fun to play with, but won't last more than a few weeks.

 

Peter