Food Coloring Using Uv/Vis Spectroscopy
POLYMER SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES
AIM: The aim of the experiment was to prepare three different polymers, namely nylon 66, Agar Gel and slime, being able to differentiate between the configuration and analysis among the three structures, noting the physical characteristics of each polymer and the chemical reactions that occur during the formation of the polymer.
Pre- lab questions 1. Is Nylon 66 a step or chain – growth polymer? Define both types of polymerization in your answer.
Nylon 66 is a step-growth polymer
Step-growth polymerization, also known as condensation polymerization, eliminates one small molecule when two monomer units are joined together.
Chain-growth polymerization, also known as addition polymerization, joins monomer units without loss of atoms. (Blackman et al. 2012)
2. Draw the repeat unit in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
3. What do you understand by the term ‘cross-link’? Draw the structure of slime and circle the cross-links.
Cross-links refer to the bonds formed when polymer chains are joined together.
Figure 1: Borax forming slime (Source: www.gcsescience.com)
4. Name a biopolymer and identify its monomer unit(s).
Cellulose is a biopolymer formed from joining monomers of glucose.
Introduction
Polymers basically are macromolecular substances that are joined by large quantities of small similar looking units called monomers. This process is called polymerization. (Blackman et.al, 2012) There exist two types of polymerization, step growth also known as condensation polymerization and chain growth polymerization, also known as addition polymerization. Polymers are of large sizes; therefore, adding or removing rows of atoms does not really affect the properties of the macromolecules. (Blackman et.al) It may be difficult to know the molar mas of a polymer since polymers contain several individual chains that occur in different lengths and sizes. The most important properties of polymers are their shape and size.
AIM: The aim of the experiment was to prepare three different polymers, namely nylon 66, Agar Gel and slime, being able to differentiate between the configuration and analysis among the three structures, noting the physical characteristics of each polymer and the chemical reactions that occur during the formation of the polymer.
Pre- lab questions 1. Is Nylon 66 a step or chain – growth polymer? Define both types of polymerization in your answer.
Nylon 66 is a step-growth polymer
Step-growth polymerization, also known as condensation polymerization, eliminates one small molecule when two monomer units are joined together.
Chain-growth polymerization, also known as addition polymerization, joins monomer units without loss of atoms. (Blackman et al. 2012)
2. Draw the repeat unit in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
3. What do you understand by the term ‘cross-link’? Draw the structure of slime and circle the cross-links.
Cross-links refer to the bonds formed when polymer chains are joined together.
Figure 1: Borax forming slime (Source: www.gcsescience.com)
4. Name a biopolymer and identify its monomer unit(s).
Cellulose is a biopolymer formed from joining monomers of glucose.
Introduction
Polymers basically are macromolecular substances that are joined by large quantities of small similar looking units called monomers. This process is called polymerization. (Blackman et.al, 2012) There exist two types of polymerization, step growth also known as condensation polymerization and chain growth polymerization, also known as addition polymerization. Polymers are of large sizes; therefore, adding or removing rows of atoms does not really affect the properties of the macromolecules. (Blackman et.al) It may be difficult to know the molar mas of a polymer since polymers contain several individual chains that occur in different lengths and sizes. The most important properties of polymers are their shape and size.
References: Blackman A, Bottle S, Schmid S, Mocerino M, Wille U, Brady J, Senese F, Brown W, Poon T,Olmsted III J, Williams G, 2012, ‘Polymers’ in Chemistry, 2nd Edition, J Wiley & sons, Australia Brown J, Duan J, Li A, Liu N, Moo-Young J,Stone S, Halpin M, 2012, ‘Red and Green Slime Show Properties of Light and More: An Introduction to Slime’, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Research in Chemistry Class, viewed 1st October 2012, <http://www.carolina.com/category/teacher+resources/classroom+activities/an+introduction+to+slime.do>www.carolina.com Greeves,N, 2012, Nylon6-6, ChemTube3D, The University of Liverpool, viewed 30 September 2012,< http://www.chemtube3d.com/polymer/_Nylon66F.html> www.chemtube3d.com Hedge R, Dahiya A, Kamath M.G, 2004, ‘Nylon Fibers’, viewed 1st October 2012, <http://www.engr.utk.edu/mse/Textiles/Nylon%20fibers.htm> Porto S, 2003, ‘Agar-agar’, Agargel, viewed 1st October 2012, <http://www.agargel.com.br/agar-tec-en.html>, www.agargel.com