Abstract In this lab, we synthesize three types of polymers including the Nylon 6,10. During the process, observations of the physical characteristics and appearance are taken. Subsequently, these properties are discussed and related to the structure of the reactants used, and the products formed.
Lab 1 Report Condensation polymers are the type of polymers formed through condensation reactions, in which molecules join together with the release of small products such as water and methanol. Condensation polymerization plays an important role in our lives since many of the products we use and rely on are prepared through these reactions. Our choice of polymer-based products in our lives depends on the properties of the polymers and the way we want to utilize them. Therefore, it became necessary to have the techniques and the knowledge of how to produce polymers with the specific properties needed for ultimate performance. In this lab, we prepare a variety of polymers and observe their properties. After that, a discussion is made of the reasons behind the differences in their characteristics. We began the procedure by choosing between reacting either ethylene glycol or glycerin with phthalic anhydride. Our group had the choice of glycerin. We added 1.00 g of phthalic anhydride into a test tube. 50 mg of sodium acetate was added to the tube as a catalyst. Then we added 0.4 ml of glycerin to the mixture to start the reaction. The test tube was heated using an alcohol burner for two minutes until the boiling starts. Then the mixture was boiled for three more minutes until the color of the mixture turned to a pale yellow. Subsequently, the mixture was poured on a microscope slide and spread along the slide using a glass pipet. As the polymer cooled, we tried to draw out fibers using the pipet. In the second part of the experiment, we prepared the Nylon-6,10. We started by adding 10 mL of hexamethylenediamine into a 50 mL beaker. Next, we tilt the beaker and add 10 mL of the sebacoyl chloride to the walls of the beaker. Two layers of the liquids form with the Nylon film in the interface of the layers. We then used a paper clip with the shape of a hook at its end to pull the Nylon film and wrap it around a glass pipet. Later, we tried to dissolve The Nylon in acetone and also to draw out fibers from the Nylon after heating it. We observed that fibers can be drawn out the glycerin and phthalic anhydride mixture when it gets warm. In addition, the mixture was viscous and of a yellow to a brownish color. The groups that used the ethylene glycol instead of glycerin reported that the resultant mixture was transparent and that fibers couldn’t be pulled from it. In the second experiment, we noticed that the Nylon-6, 10 ropes were sticky and long. In addition, the polymer was insoluble in acetone and when heated, fibers couldn’t be drawn out.