Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 117-123.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.240219

• Chemistry Teaching and Experiment Innovation • Previous Articles    

Comprehensive Polymer Chemistry Experimental Design: Preparation of Hydrophilic Sponge

Shou-Ping XU(), Li-Hua ZENG, Pi-Hui PI, Xiu-Fang WEN, Jiang CHENG   

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,South China University of Technology,Guangzhou 510000,China
  • Received:2024-08-24 Accepted:2024-10-20 Published:2025-01-01 Online:2025-01-24
  • Contact: Shou-Ping XU
  • About author:cespxu@scut.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the South China University of Technology Teaching and Research Reform Project 2023 and Zhuhai Basic and Applied Basic Research Project(2320004002737)

Abstract:

Polyvinyl alcohol acetal sponges are hydrophilic, biodegradable, and have high strength and good resilience, which are widely used in many fields. Surfactant foaming method was applied to prepare the sponge. The experiment is designed to compare the reaction ability of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde acetal, so as to understand the mechanism of the acetal reaction better; the infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile strength instrument was used to characterize the polymer and material structure, meanwhile inspire students to analyze the connection between polymer properties and structure, and cultivate the ability to think deeply; Finally, the sponges can be used as a workbench cleaning tool, and increases the interestingness of the experiment. In conclusion, this experiment is a comprehensive research experiment that combines literature review, basic experimental operation, material property characterization and application performance. As a teaching case, it may cultivate students' experimental skills and scientific thinking effectively.

Key words: Polyvinyl alcohol sponge, Acetal reaction, Polymer chemistry, Integrated experiment

CLC Number: