The role of mercury in promoting the dissolution of aluminum in nitric acid was investigated experimentally. The rates at which a broad range of Al sample sizes and shapes dissolved in HNO3 were determined for various combinations of HNO3 and Hg(NO3)2 molarities. The effects of temperature and agitation were also studied, as was the product gas composition
Mercury(I) nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula Hg2(NO3)2. It was first discovered by Prafulla Chandra Ray[3] It is used in the preparation of other mercury(I) compounds, and is toxic.
the amount of elemental mercury per 0.5 mL dose is approximately 25 micrograms.