AN ACCESSIBLE GLOVE BOX PROJECT FOR PROCEDURES THAT REQUIRE INERT CONDITIONS

An inert atmosphere is, in some cases, important for the performing of experiments where substances are toxic and/or sensitive to oxygen. However, the high cost and accessibility of an equipment to work under these conditions, results in the fact that most laboratories do not have this kind of equipment. In this paper, we present a simple and efficient project to build a cheap glove box for processes that require an inert atmosphere. The proposed glove box is made using medium density fiberboard (MDF), an acrylic lid, hinges, air valves, PVC gloves and other materials that can be found easily in local stores or on the internet. Tests to verify the quality of the nitrogen atmosphere were performed using the lighter test and niobium pentachloride (NbCl5), which is a moisture/ oxygen sensitive material. The results demonstrated that the equipment is able to maintain an inert atmosphere for several hours, does not permit lighter to function and maintains the NbCl5 stable.在部分涉及有毒物质或对氧气敏感的物质的实验场景中，惰性气氛（inert atmosphere）环境至关重要。然而，满足此类实验需求的设备往往成本高昂且难以获取，导致多数实验室无法配备这类装置。本研究提出了一套简便高效的低成本手套箱（glove box）搭建方案，可用于需要惰性气氛的实验流程。所设计的手套箱以中密度纤维板（MDF）、亚克力盖板、合页、气阀、PVC手套及其他易于在本地商店或线上平台购得的材料制成。研究采用点火测试法与五氯化铌（NbCl5）——一种对水分与氧气敏感的物质——来验证氮气气氛的质量。测试结果表明，该装置可维持数小时的惰性气氛环境，无法支持打火机正常点火，且可使五氯化铌保持稳定。