Abstract
A laboratory experiment was developed to investigate the rheological properties of a green calcium-cross-linked alginate gel as an alternative to the traditional borax-cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) gel. As borax is suspected of damaging fertility and the unborn child, a safe, green alternative is necessary. The rheological properties of a sodium alginate solution were examined as a function of temperature using capillary viscometry. Gelation and degelation processes were followed using rotational viscometry. The non-Newtonian shear-thinning properties were also exemplified by determining the viscosity as a function of spindle speed using the rotational viscometer. Students making the transition from a first- to second-year undergraduate chemistry program within a natural sciences degree have successfully conducted this laboratory experiment.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 500-504 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 20 Jan 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 11 Apr 2017 |
Bibliographical note
© 2017 The American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details.Keywords
- Colloids
- Green Chemistry
- Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives
- Materials Science
- Physical Properties
- Polymer Chemistry
- Second-Year Undergraduate