Finishing Finding Chemicals to Test

I have learned more about how tough chemical research is. I thought I would just have to find a few chemicals and then look for closely related ones on the wikipedia page. Unfortunately, I couldn't find many chemicals in this way and had to be much more creative. I am quite glad that I was able to find all 15 chemicals and didn't have to resort to choosing random things that I am sure won't work. Although I haven't had any setbacks, I still need to find places to buy some of the chemicals. The next step is to buy all of the stuff and start with my experiment.

Here are the rest of the chemicals I will be using (the first 5 are here):

6. Seawater (or water with high salt concentration)
Causes efflorescence or corrosion
7. Oil and then light on fire (not sure whether this will work and I might not actually do this)
Maybe the fire will do something?
8. Vinegart
Weak acid; I doubt it will do much
9. Ammonia
Base; I doubt it will do much
10. Hydrochloric acid
Generally strong acid
11. Nitric acid
Strong acid and oxidizing agent
12. Dry Ice (I will dump it in the bucket underneath so CO2 goes up)
The carbon dioxide may cause carbonatation
13. Liquid Chlorine Bleach
Might have some effect on the concrete
14. Hydrogen Peroxide
Strong oxidizing agent
15. Nothing
This is the control to see how much water naturally leaks through

Finding Chemicals to Test

Over the past couple weeks, I have been able to identify 5 substances that may cause porosity in concrete. I also found some concrete pavers and spray bottles on homedepot.com that are quite cheap but seem of good quality. I still have 9 substances to identify, which I expect to be completed by Monday (3/21). After that, I will get the entire set up prepared and start experimenting on the following Friday.

While researching the potential liquids, I realized how much searching and digging it takes to find substances that have a chance of changing the concrete. I learned that I like these kinds of research projects, but I get sidetracked easily. For example, I was looking at what effects carbonated water could have on the concrete, and within a few moments, I found myself on the Wikipedia page about FritoLay.

Concrete Pavers
http://www.homedepot.com/p/12-in-x-12-in-Pewter-Concrete-Step-Stone-71200/100333077
Spray Bottles
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Continental-24-oz-Sprayer-and-Bottle-3-per-Pack-CMC9223SP/205907081

1. Sakrete Concrete and Mortar Dissolver
Meant to remove concrete from surfaces, looking to apply it for creating porosity
2. Sulfuric Acid
Generally strong acid that should dissolve some of the concrete
3. Carbonated Water
The carbon dioxide may cause carbonatation
4. Calcium Chloride
Removes calcium hydroxide, an important component of concrete
5. Gypsum dissolved in water
Causes cracking and loss of "stickiness" in the concrete