A Physical Chemistry Experiment in Polymer Crystallization Kinetics

A laboratory experiment currently used in an undergraduate physical chemistry lab to investigate the rates of crystallization of a polymer is described. Specifically, the radial growth rates of typical disc-shaped crystals, called spherulites, growing between microscope glass slides are measured and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical education 2012-01, Vol.89 (1), p.159-162
Main Authors: Singfield, Kathy L, Chisholm, Roderick A, King, Thomas L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry
College Science
Crystal growth
Crystallization
Crystals
Growth rate
Kinetics
Laboratory Experiments
Molecular Structure
Organic chemistry
Physical chemistry
Plastics
Polyethylene glycol
Polymers
Science education
Science Instruction
Science Laboratories
Scientific Principles
Spherulites
Students
Teachers
Undergraduate Study
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Summary:A laboratory experiment currently used in an undergraduate physical chemistry lab to investigate the rates of crystallization of a polymer is described. Specifically, the radial growth rates of typical disc-shaped crystals, called spherulites, growing between microscope glass slides are measured and the data are treated according to polymer crystallization theory. The polymer used is a commercially available poly(ethylene glycol). Effects of molecular weight and crystallization temperature on the growth rate are demonstrated. Background information for students and instructor, experiment procedure, and full analysis of students’ results are included in the Supporting Information.
ISSN:0021-9584
1938-1328
DOI:10.1021/ed100812v