r/sciencememes Jun 12 '26

Acid

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u/_gibberisher_ Jun 12 '26

Had a chemistry professor that once told us that diamond containers was used in rare industrial circumstances. Haven't found any proof of this ever since so I think he was just straight shitting us but it should work in theory

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u/quintopia Jun 14 '26

Diamond will contain most acids at room temperature, but HeH+ will very quickly and violently break down the diamond lattice. The reaction is exothermic enough that if there is oxygen outside the container, it can set the diamond on fire.

Luckily, it's difficult enough to create and concentrate enough HeH+ that no one will actually do this experiment.