URANYL NITRATE

Use

Uranyl nitrate is a yellow poisonous crystal made by dissolving uranic oxide in nitric acid. It is soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. First suggested by C. J. Burnett in 1855, a uranyl nitrate printing process was patented by Niépce de St. Victor in 1858. The paper was floated on a uranyl nitrate solution and dried in the dark. The paper was exposed under a negative in the sun until a faint image appeared. The image was developed to completion by floating the paper on a solution of silver nitrate or gold chloride followed by washing. A process patented in 1864 by Jacob Wothly called for adding uranyl nitrate and silver to collodion, which was then applied to paper. The Wothlytype was a printing-out process. Uranyl nitrate was used in printing-out emulsions and with potassium ferricyanide for toning prints and intensifying negatives. It was also used with silver nitrate for making uranium/ silver gaslight papers.