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Polymer production is always very popular with students, particularly the "slime" and the nylon rope. We always set the nylon rope as a competition to be able to produce (and unwind outside) the longest length of nylon rope. It is possible to get over 20 metres. If time is an issue the two solutions can be pre-prepared.
The poly(phenylethene) and polyester will set fast in the test tube. We save some of the more battered (flame-polished) test tubes especially for these experiments.
Materials:
| Phenylethene (5 cm3) | Decanedioyl dichloride (0.5 cm3) |
| Propane-1,2,3-triol (2 cm3) | Hydrocarbon solvent (15 cm3) |
| Benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride (3 g) | Hexane-1,6-diamine (0.7 g) |
| Di(dodecanoyl) peroxide (0.2 g) | Sodium carbonate (2 g) |
| Ethanol (20 cm3) | 4% poly(ethenol) solution (25 cm3) |
| 4% sodium borate solution (5 cm3) | |
| Test tubes (2) - see above | 0 - 360ºC thermometer |
| 100 cm3 beaker (2) | 400 cm3 beaker |
| 10 cm3 measuring cylinder (3) | 25 cm3 measuring cylinder |
| Dropping pipettes | 100 cm3 measuring cylinder |
| Cotton wool | Wooden splints |
| Forceps | Heat-proof mat |
| Bunsen burner | Spatula |
| Balance with accuracy of at least ± 0.1 g | Disposable plastic cup |