Synthesizing a Silicate Chain to Form

Superballs

Synthesizing a Silicate Chain to Form

Superballs

QuestionQuestion

What does combining sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol create?

How does your bouncy ball bounce?

What does combining sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol create?

How does your bouncy ball bounce?

Synthesizing Inorganic Polymer

Synthesizing Inorganic Polymer

In this lab experiment, you will synthesize an inorganic polymer based on silicon.

Inorganic polymers are polymers with a non-carbon backbone. Silicon is an element directly below carbon, yet the chemistry of carbon and silicon are very different.

In this lab experiment, you will synthesize an inorganic polymer based on silicon.

Inorganic polymers are polymers with a non-carbon backbone. Silicon is an element directly below carbon, yet the chemistry of carbon and silicon are very different.

Silicones & Polymers Silicones & Polymers

Silicones are largely inert compounds with a wide variety offorms and uses. Typically heat-resistant, nonstick, and

rubberlike.

They are frequently used in: • Cookware• Medical applications• Sealants• Lubricants• Insulation

Silicones are largely inert compounds with a wide variety offorms and uses. Typically heat-resistant, nonstick, and

rubberlike.

They are frequently used in: • Cookware• Medical applications• Sealants• Lubricants• Insulation

Silicones are polymers that include silicon together with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sometimes other chemical elements.

Silicones are polymers that include silicon together with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sometimes other chemical elements.

Polymers(Greek poly means many and (meros), meaning

"part”)

Polymers(Greek poly means many and (meros), meaning

"part”)

A polymer is a large molecule (macromolecule) composed of repeating structural units connected by covalent chemical bonds.

Polymerization – joining of many small molecules to form a large molecule.

Well-known examples of polymers include plastics, DNA, and proteins.

A polymer is a large molecule (macromolecule) composed of repeating structural units connected by covalent chemical bonds.

Polymerization – joining of many small molecules to form a large molecule.

Well-known examples of polymers include plastics, DNA, and proteins.

DiscussionDiscussion

The super ball is a variation of a simple silicone. Silicone is the term used to describe any organosilicon oxide polymer in which the structural unit is usually: R is an organic, usually a methyl group.

The super ball is a variation of a simple silicone. Silicone is the term used to describe any organosilicon oxide polymer in which the structural unit is usually: R is an organic, usually a methyl group.

Sodium silicate solution is produced by fusing sand (SiO2)n and soda ash (Na2CO3) in a

furnace at about 1300 oC.

The final product, Na2O (SiO2)n is also called water glass.

The reaction with ethyl alcohol produces a super ball which is most likely a silicone

elastomer where the R is (- O - CH 2CH3).

ElastomerElastomer

Elastomer is a big fancy word, and all it means is"rubber". Some polymers which are elastomersinclude polyisoprene or natural rubber,polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, and polyurethanes.

What makes elastomers special is the fact that they

Bounce and can be stretched to many times their original length, and can bounce back into their original shape without permanent deformation.

Elastomer is a big fancy word, and all it means is"rubber". Some polymers which are elastomersinclude polyisoprene or natural rubber,polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, and polyurethanes.

What makes elastomers special is the fact that they

Bounce and can be stretched to many times their original length, and can bounce back into their original shape without permanent deformation.

Materials Needed

20 mL Sodium silicate solution10-mL Ethyl alcohol, CH3CH2OH, 95%,

wooden splint small paper or plastic cup

Materials Needed

20 mL Sodium silicate solution10-mL Ethyl alcohol, CH3CH2OH, 95%,

wooden splint small paper or plastic cup

Caution: This activity requires the use of hazardous components

and/or has the potential for hazardous reactions. Please review the

Safety Precautions section on the following page and relevant

Material Safety Data Sheets before beginning this activity.

Caution: This activity requires the use of hazardous components

and/or has the potential for hazardous reactions. Please review the

Safety Precautions section on the following page and relevant

Material Safety Data Sheets before beginning this activity.

1. Measure out and add 20 mL of sodium silicate solution to the paper cup. 2. Measure out 10 mL of 95% ethyl alcohol and add it to the paper cup. 3. Stir the mixture with the wooden splint in a regular circular motion. 4. As the mixture solidifies, squeeze out the liquid with gloved hands; place the solid in the palm of your hand and form the solid into a ball. 5. As you form the ball, continue to gently press out the excess liquid. 6. Bounce the ball and measure the height of the bounce!

1. Measure out and add 20 mL of sodium silicate solution to the paper cup. 2. Measure out 10 mL of 95% ethyl alcohol and add it to the paper cup. 3. Stir the mixture with the wooden splint in a regular circular motion. 4. As the mixture solidifies, squeeze out the liquid with gloved hands; place the solid in the palm of your hand and form the solid into a ball. 5. As you form the ball, continue to gently press out the excess liquid. 6. Bounce the ball and measure the height of the bounce!

Procedure

Measure the height that your superball bounced to.

Measure the height that your superball bounced to.

Trials

Height (cm)

Trial 1

Height (cm)

Trial 2

Height (cm)

Trial 3

Height (cm)

Average

StudentName

Tips Tips

Adjust the amount of alcohol used (anywhere from 5 to 15 mL) and observe the differences between the superballs.

The superballs will vary in how brittle they are.

The silicone super ball is brittle and may crumble. It may be reformed by pressing it between the palms of your hands.

The super ball should be stored in a closed or airtight container when not in use.

Adjust the amount of alcohol used (anywhere from 5 to 15 mL) and observe the differences between the superballs.

The superballs will vary in how brittle they are.

The silicone super ball is brittle and may crumble. It may be reformed by pressing it between the palms of your hands.

The super ball should be stored in a closed or airtight container when not in use.

Safety PrecautionsSafety Precautions

Ethyl alcohol is a dangerous fire risk; it is flammable. The addition of denaturant makes ethyl alcohol toxic by ingestion.

Sodium silicate solution is very alkaline, it is a skin irritant.

Wear chemical splash goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and a chemical-resistant apron.

Ethyl alcohol is a dangerous fire risk; it is flammable. The addition of denaturant makes ethyl alcohol toxic by ingestion.

Sodium silicate solution is very alkaline, it is a skin irritant.

Wear chemical splash goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and a chemical-resistant apron.

Polymers Polymers • Polymers – large chainlike molecules made from many

small molecules called monomers Simplest polymer – polyethylene Polyethylene results from addition polymerization.

Polymers Polymers Condensation polymerization – a small molecule

(often water) is released for each addition of a monomer to the polymer chain

Condensation polymerization – a small molecule (often water) is released for each addition of a monomer to the polymer chain

• Copolymer – 2 different types of monomers combine to form the chain

Nylon (co-polymer) and as you can see carbon based.

Sodium Silicate polymerSodium Silicate polymer When sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol are put

together, the silicate particles begin to link up with each other to form long chains as the ethyl groups (sometimes shown as "R") replace oxygen atoms in the silicate ion. (Some become cross-linked between chains.) Water molecules are by-products of the formation of the polymerization bond.

The large molecule is a solid.

When sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol are put together, the silicate particles begin to link up with each other to form long chains as the ethyl groups (sometimes shown as "R") replace oxygen atoms in the silicate ion. (Some become cross-linked between chains.) Water molecules are by-products of the formation of the polymerization bond.

The large molecule is a solid.