Lab K: Introduction to Polymers

what are polymers made of?

what 2 classes are there?

made of smaller repeating structures called monomers which are linked together via covalent bonds

natural and synthetic

2 common methods for polymer synthesis

1. addition polymerization: a polymerization process where unsaturated monomers (with double or triple bonds) connect w/ addition rxns. normally needs a catalyst to initiate. ex: polystyrene. DRAW FROM NOTES

2. condensation polymerization: polymer synthesis through condensation. drawn example from notes

what is nylon used in? what war?

what is it made from?

Nylon-6,6 synthesis

Nylon-6,10 synthesis

used in clothing+parachutes. WWII

made from condensation of organic acid/acid chloride and an amine

in notes (both)

procedure for nylon-6,6 formation

waste: left over nylon experiment. acetone rinsing for nylon

get hexamethylenediamine/sodium hydroxide in a beaker with food coloring

add adipoyl chloride/hexane solution

let it sit→white film formed between layers

both into nylon waste

pt b: superabsorbant polymer

acrylic acid structure

sodium polyacrylate structure

how does it absorb water?

in notes for both

high afinity for H2O due to sodium ion concentration (osmotic pressure)

procedure

waste of everything

put water in a cup

put sodium polyacrylate in and let it sit

flip cup →passes DQ test

put sodium chloride over gel → gel deflates

wate in “superabsorbant polymer” bin

pt c: bouncing polymer ball

poly (vinyl alcohol) and sodium laurel sulfate (surfactant) structure

what does poly (vinyl alcohol) do?

what type of addition is this?

why is dish soap used?

in notes

it absorbs water

synthetic addition

dish soap has laurel sulfate which is a surfactant that lowers the surface tension of the water which helps water penetrate the polymer powder

procedure

waste

get water+soap

assemble bond→put in powder→put in water

all waste into polymer bouncing ball

look at class notes→free radical chain mechanism