Super Water Absorbent Polymers

Water absorbent polymers are essential in uses ranging from agriculture to personal hygiene. Explore how hydrogen bonding allows hydrophilic polymers to absorb several hundred times their own weight in water. Students investigate how a small change in chemical structure has a dramatic effect on the rates of water absorption for sodium polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, and polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymer. Students also investigate the effects of solute concentration on the osmosis of water into and out of these polymers and then extend that learning to design a diaper that meets real-world requirements. This kit includes sufficient materials for 30 students working in 10 groups of 3.

Components	Qty	Included?
Sodium Polyacrylate, 100 g		Included
Polyacrylamide, 100 g		Included
Polyacrylate/Polyacrylamide Copolymer, 50 g		Included
9-oz Plastic Cups	20	Included
Teacher’s Manual		Included
Paper Towels		Needed, Not Included
Safety Goggles		Needed, Not Included
Lab Aprons and Gloves		Needed, Not Included
100-mL Graduated Cylinders	20	Needed, Not Included
Wash Bottles (filled with distilled water)	10	Needed, Not Included
250-mL Beakers	20	Needed, Not Included
Funnels	10	Needed, Not Included
Filter Papers	30	Needed, Not Included
Stopwatches or Timers	10	Needed, Not Included
0.9% NaCl Solution		Needed, Not Included
Tap Water		Needed, Not Included
Spatulas	3	Needed, Not Included
Balance(s) (sensitive to 0.1 g or greater)		Needed, Not Included
Sheets of Paper (with logos or printed words)	10	Needed, Not Included