Research on Polymers

BOBBY MOUNSATH

AMBER PARAMORE

MARIAH JOHNSON

A Video About Polymers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxazXEjI0SU

What are Polymers?

(Noun) - A substance that has a molecular structure built up chiefly or completely from a large number of similar units bonded together.

How are Polymers formed?

Polymers are formed by monomers joining together to make a polymer through a process called polymerization.

Examples of Polymers

Credit Cards

Hairdressing Products

Glasses

Furniture

Spandex Clothing Fiber

Bottles

Tooth Brush

Liquid-absorbing Crystals

Cookware

Pencils/Pens

Are DNA and Polymers related?

Yes, because a polymer is made up of many monomers. While DNA is made up of many nucleotides. All polymers and DNA have a chain with many links in them with all kinds of information written on them, like a computer or a laptop. Basically DNA is a polymer while the nucleotides are the monomers.

Making Nylons (From Scratch)

1. The chemicals used in this project are hexanedioxyl dichloride and diaminohexane. The two chemicals need to be in a 2:5 ratio. For every 5ml of hexanedioxyl dichloride, you will need 2ml of diaminohexane. The resulting solution will make about 1/2 to 1 meter of nylon.

2. Pour the hexanedioxyl dichloride into a large glass container.

3. Hold a spoon upside down (with the large beveled part up) over the glass container. Slowly pour the diaminohexane over the spoon into the hexanedioxyl dichloride. The spoon prevents the two chemicals from mixing fullt. Let this solution sit for a minute.

4. You will notice a small layer forming as the two chemicals meet. With your tweezers, pinch a small amount of the substance. Pull it away from the glass container, and it will come out in a thread. This is a thread of nylon.

5. Pull up the single thread to eye level. Place the tweezed end of the thread of nylon onto a spool. Slowly turn the spool and the nylon will pull out of the solution in a long, thin string. The thread will continue until the chemicals are used up.