Superabsorbent Polymer (In Person)

Edit Experiment

VIDEO LINKS:

Lab Experiments (Write protocols and perform experiments based on these):

  1. Extracting the Polymer
  2. Polymer with Water
  3. Adding Salt to Soaked Polymer

Data analysis and calculations (Use these if you need help with your data and interpretations)

  1. Absorbed Water

The prelab must include Experimental Protocol, Chemical Table and Equipment Table.

The lab report requires all sections (including prelab sections) to be completed in one document.

Experimental Protocol

(Analysis) Watch the experiment videos.  Take notes on the protocol.  Stop the video and re-watch as necessary to acquire the details of the procedure.  Write out the protocol for each part of the experiment.  (It can be written in sequential steps.  Complete sentences are not necessary.)  This is the protocol you will follow, so be detailed.

Chemical Table

(Representation) Prepare your chemical table including the materials you will use in the experiment.  Here is a general template that you may use.
Chemical Name Chemical Formula Molar Mass (g/mol) Hazards Reference PPE
Sodium Chloride NaCl 58.5 Skin irritation https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/21105.htm  
           
           
           
           

Equipment Table

(Analysis) Identify the equipment (type AND size) needed for the experiment and include the name and an image of each.  Be sure to describe the equipment, how to use it, and why it is suitable for this use.
Equipment Name Equipment Picture Intended Purpose
 

Data Collection

(Acquiring competencies) Following your detailed protocol based on the videos, perform all the experiments. Record your observations and take pictures of your key steps in the process.  Your observations and images need to be incorporated in your data section and this section should be as detailed as possible as you will use this information to complete your discussion.    

Data Processing

  1. (Manipulation) Calculate the percent of the water absorbed relative to the mass of the polymer.
  2. (Assumptions and Analysis) Fill in the following table using the observations and data from your experiments.
Assumptions made Testing the assumption If assumptions are wrong ...
All the extracted white solid from the diaper is polymer. Difference between literature absorption data and our experiment.

Discussion

Write a minimum one-page (12 font, single spaced) discussion on the experiment conducted this week. Address at least one question in each category as fully as possible integrating the collected data, providing explanations for the observed trends, and evaluating whether your original assumptions about the experiment were validated by the results. The assignment will be graded on completeness, clarity of the explanations and the meaningful integration of the collected and calculated data. Correct grammar and appropriate format for the chemical formulae and chemical reactions is expected. You may use the outline included at the end of this document on how to build your essay to address each category.  
  1. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Define polymers and identify what kind of polymers are found in diapers.
  2. (Analysis) Describe what happened when you added water to your polymer and use your observation to explain how a diaper works.
  3. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Look up the water uptake of this superabsorbent polymer in the literature. Include a reference to your source.
  4. (Analysis) Describe how your result compares to that number and comment on the accuracy of your experiment.
  5. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Name at least 3 other applications for these super absorbent polymers and describe how they are used. Describe what makes these applications interesting to you.
  6. (Analysis) Describe what happened when you added salt to your polymer. Identify at least one other substance that you expect to produce the same effect and provide an argument for the similar results.