It is interesting to know how glow sticks manage to emit a strong light despite the absence of any form of battery or bulb. A chemical reaction is responsible for the light they give off. We embark on a more technical discussion of this chemical reaction in the following section.
The Mixing of Two Solutions
Most glow sticks carry three kinds of chemicals: hydrogen peroxide solution, phenyl oxalate ester, and fluorescent dye. When mixed together, hydrogen peroxide cause the oxidation of phenyl oxalate ester, and produces phenol and acid ester. Acid ester is an unstable compound that decomposes to create additional phenol and another compound called cyclic peroxy.
You are certainly more familiar with carbon dioxide, which is produced inside glow sticks when cyclic peroxy decomposes. This continuous decomposition results in the release of energy to the fluorescent dye. When the electrons of this dye are activated, their charge rises and falls down. The energy released in the process is the same light that we observe in glow sticks.
The Anatomy of Glow Sticks
You may be wondering how it is tha glow sticks don’t emit light unless they are bent. Glow sticks are actually a form of housing for the two solution mentioned above. The sticks have two separate chambers; the outer chamber contains the phenyl oxalate ester and the fluorescent dye, while an inner vial contains the peroxide solution. Hence, when you bend the glow sticks, the glass vial in their core breaks, causing the mixing of the two solutions.
Making Your Own Glows Sticks
There are websites that give out detailed information on how to make your own glow sticks. Even if this is so, the activity is not recommended unless you are trained to mix chemical compounds. The chemicals are relatively safe compared to other compounds, but incorrect mixes can easily lead to unintended results. In addition, fluorescent dye can also damage your clothes and other fabrics.