Ch 62 Industrial Chemical Reactions and Processes

EXPERIMENT No. 5: Polystyrene Synthesis and Characterization

INTRODUCTION:

Synthesis of Polystyrene(2 groups/class)

1. Synthesis of Polystyrene 

a. Add 4g of styrene in 3 18x150mm test tube.

b. Sonicate for 5 mins. (Why sonicate?)

c. Add dibenzoyl peroxide(1,4,8 wt%) (Calculate the amount of dibenzoyl peroxide you need.)

d. Heat the test tubes for one hour in an oil bath at 90°C.

e. Increase to 135°C

f. Stop heating when the polymer starts to turn yellow.

g. Cool it in ice. If you can’t remove the product from the test tube, you can break the test tube.

Make sure you do this carefully and separate the glass from the polymer.

2. Analysis of PS 

    a. Solubility Test

Grind a few and place it in two test tubes. Test solubility in water and acetone.

    b. Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Crimp 5mg of polymer. Run in DSC up to 160°C.

    c. Heat Test

Place 0.5 of polymer at the end of a spatula. Heat in a bunsen burner. Observe.

    d. Impact Test – Research industry standard.

e. IR

1. Dissolve 1g of polymer in 4-5ml of toluene.

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 2. Stir until polymer dissolves.

3. Pour onto Teflon. Form a film by rolling a stirring rod on the solution. For this experiment,
an alternative polymer, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) will be used (silicones are more expensive). In this
version, although PVA have covalent bonds within molecules, it will be through hydrogen bonding
(physical crosslinks) that one would be able to form a viscoelastic material. When a small amount of
stress is applied to the putty, the material can be stretched but when stress is applied quickly, the material
can snap.

Lemon or other citrus batteries is a popular chemistry class demonstration. But what makes it
work? Usually, two types of metals are used: a copper rod and a zinc-coated nail which are connected to a
wire. This connection of wires can then be connected with a 1.5 or 3 volts (V) bulb. Done properly, the
bulb will light up! Also for this experiment, you are going to design your own light bulb be it with the use
of an orange, lemon, or lime. Research on a DEPENDABLE set-up and gather all the necessary materials
for this activity. Make sure you can demonstrate it in class not just once but several times—a group
should be able to do this with at least 4 working set-ups.

OBJECTIVES:

(1) To be able to create silly putty and characterize some its properties including elasticity and viscosity.
(2) To make a citrus “powered” battery using electrochemical concepts.
(3) To come up with packaging designs for the chemical toys created.

MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS (BOUNCING PUTTY)

(a) Beaker (d) PVA glue

(b) Graduated cylinder (e) 16% sodium borate
(c) Stirring rod (f) Food coloring or other colorants
PROCEDURE (BOUNCING PUTTY):

1. Place 8 mL of PVA glue in a 50.0 mL beaker.

2. Add 2 mL of 16% sodium borate and 2 drops of colorant.
3. Stir the mixture until a curdle forms. Within a few minutes of stirring the polymer should be dry
enough to handle.
4. Scoop the curdled mixture out and put it in your palms. Shape the putty into a ball.
5. You can now bounce and play with your putty.
6. Measure the “springiness” of the ball by measuring how high it will bounce up once dropped
from a surface.
7. Measure how elastic the material is by figuring out how far it can be stretched without tearing it
apart.

MAKE YOUR OWN PROCEDURE REGARDING THE LEMON/CITRUS BATTERY SET-UP.

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QUESTIONS

1. What would happen to the bouncing putty that you have made if you placed it in water? Is PVA soluble
in water?

2. What is cross-linking ? What is the difference between a covalently cross-linked material vs. physically
cross-linked object?

3. Regarding your lemon battery set-up, can we use the same metal for the two rods placed in the citrus?

4. If you are going to package these two experiments as a kit or toy for children (8 to 14 years old). What
indications regarding safety must be included in the packaging?

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