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ID: 141761
ABSTRACT
The experiment was carried out in order to calculate the average molecular weight of polystyrene-
toluene solution. Four samples of the polystyrene were prepared by dissolving 0.2-0.8 grams of
polystyrene in 100 ml toluene. Viscometer of Cannon-Fenske type was use in order to determine
the flow time for polystyrene solution as well as for the toluene. All calculations depend on the
flow time which leads to Huggins plot. Finally, using Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation the
average molecular weight of the polymer was calculated to be 131496 g/gmole.
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CONTENTS
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 2
1 introduction ............................................................................................................................. 5
2 Procedures ............................................................................................................................... 7
3 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 8
4 Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 10
5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 11
6 Bibliography ......................................................................................................................... 12
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List of figures
Figure 1 Cannon-Fenske viscometer ........................................................................................... 5
Figure 2 Huggins Plot ................................................................................................................... 8
List of tables
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1 INTRODUCTION
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1.2 METHODS OF DETERMINING MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF POLYMERS
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2 PROCEDURES
1. Four masses of polystyrene from 0.2 – 0.8 grams are weighed using a sensitive balance.
2. By using spatula, transfer each of the weighed masses into a separate 100ml flask plus an
empty flask.
3. Fill each flask with toluene till reaching the mark of the flask.
4. Cover the flasks using ground joint caps, and leave them for about 1 hour for swelling.
5. For 10 hours leave flasks on a shaker in order to dissolve the polystyrene.
6. Adjust the temperature of the thermostated bath at 25⁰C.
7. Using a pipette take pump the polystyrene solution till it fills the bulb inside the
viscometer.
8. Place the viscometer vertically inside the bath and record the flow time of each sample
starting from the mark located at the end of the bulb till the meniscus of the fluid reaches
the other mark on the viscometer.
9. Recorded time is then used in the calculations and graphical plots to determine the
average molecular weight.
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3 RESULTS
As per Huggins equation the y intercept is the intrinsic viscosity = 51.907 cm3/g
ᶯSP
ᶯred= C
= [ᶯ] + k 2 [ᶯ]2 C
Equation 1 Huggins equation
40
30
20
10
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
C (g/dl) x10-3
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In order to determine the molecular weight Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation is used.
ᶯ = 𝐾𝑀𝑣𝑎
Equation 2 Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation
𝐾 = 7.5 × 10−3
𝑎 = 0.75
Then,
𝑀𝑣 = 131496 g/gmole
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4 DISCUSSION
The experiment is based on using the intrinsic viscosity method in order to calculate the molecular
weight of polystyrene. The calculations mainly depended on measuring the time of flow of both
solvent (toluene) and polymer solution (polystyrene-toluene solution). The flow time is equal to
the viscosity divided by the density the fluid. Relative viscosity or the viscosity ratio is determined,
which is a ratio between viscosity of the solution to the viscosity of the solvent. Calculation of the
relative viscosity in the experiment was carried out by getting the ratio between the flow time of
polystyrene solution to the flow time of toluene. The intrinsic viscosity is determined graphically
using Huggins plot which is the reduced viscosity (specific viscosity/ concentration of solution)
vs the concentration of solution. The y intercept is the intrinsic viscosity required. The plot showed
a direct proportionality trend between the concentration and the reduced viscosity. Finally, using
Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation the molecular weight of the polymer was determined to be
131496 g/gmole. The determined value of the molecular weight was just 13% from the expected
value and this shows that the application of the intrinsic method was not accurate enough to get
the correct value of the molecular weight or even an acceptable value.
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5 CONCLUSION
It was required to determine the average molecular weight of the polystyrene in toluene solution
and this was achieved by using the intrinsic viscosity method. The determination of the flow time
of the polystyrene solution and toluene was an important step in the calculations starting from the
relative viscosity then specific viscosity, and finally the reduced viscosity. Reduced viscosity is
plotted against the concentrations of the prepared polystyrene solutions constructing Huggins plot.
The y axis intercept was the required intrinsic viscosity that the left-hand side of Mark-Houwink-
Sakurada equation to calculate the average molecular weight. 131496 g/gmole was the value of
the determined average molecular weight of the polystyrene in toluene solution which was by far
smaller than the given value. The large gap between the two values was resulted form the errors
concerning preparation of the samples as well as errors from the viscometer itself.
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6 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Desiderio, N. (2014). Determination of Saybolt, Kinematic, and Shear Viscosity.
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