COMPARISON BETWEEN NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC POLYMERS

Objective: To compare natural and synthetic polymers.

Materials:

ü 2 samples of natural polymer cloth (ex. silk, wool, and cotton)

ü 2 samples of synthetic polymer cloth (ex. polyester, nylon, and acetate)

ü Mild acid (ex. calamansi, lemon juice, or vinegar)

ü Liquid bleach

ü 8 Styrofoam cups

ü Medicine dropper

ü Rubber gloves

ü Marking pen

ü Paper towel

ü Scissors

ü Ruler

ü Oil

Procedure:

1. Record the color of each cloth.

2. Label 4 styrofoam cups with the names of the 4 cloth samples and write the word bleach on
each cup.

3. Cut a 2-cm square of each cloth and put each piece on the cup.

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 4. Using your gloves, pour small amount of bleach into each cup.

5. label the remaining 6 cups with the names of the 4 cloth samples, and the word acid. Pour a
small amount of mild acid into each of the cup and repeat step 3.

6. Set aside the cups for 24 hours and then proceed to step 7 to 9.

7. Try to tear each of the remaining pieces of cloth.

8. Place a drop of water on each cloth and observe whether the water is absorbed or forms beads.
If the water is absorbed, record the rate of absorption.

9. Repeat step 8 using a drop of oil.

10. After 24 hours, pour the liquid from each cup into the sink or container. Dry the sample with
a paper towel.

11. Record any color changes.

Questions and Analysis:

1. Which cloth held the color best on bleach? In acid? Why?

The cloth that held the color best on bleach is the synthetic polymer cloth, or the
nylon and polyester. The artificial fibers did not affect the color. These materials provide
synthetic cloth colors, and because these artificial fibers are colorfast, synthetic clothes are
as well. When it comes to acid, the changes are minimal. There are no changes save than
the cotton lightening somewhat. Because acid is not as powerful as bleach in clearing off the
color, all of the cloth held the best color in acid for me.

2. Which of the materials is resistant to damage of bleach or acid? Why?

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 Natural polymer cloth is less durable than synthetic polymer cloth. I learned that
synthetic polymer clothes, such as polyester and nylon, are manufactured from
non-biodegradable materials, such as recycled plastics, and hence have a longer lifespan.
They're also not prone to expanding out. Even after being immersed in bleach and
moderate acid, the cloth's look and properties remain unchanged. Cotton, for example, is
readily damaged in comparison to natural polymer fabric. Even though I just touched the
cotton that I had soaked in bleach, it ground.

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