2.1.2 Experimental Procedure
1. If the styrene contains an inhibitor, the inhibitor must first be removed. To do this, measure 60 mL of inhibited styrene into a 250-mL separatory funnel and add 60 mL of 10% NaOH. Shake the contents several times while properly venting for 1 minute.
2. Separate the styrene from the separatory funnel and place into 100-mL beaker. Add
3. approximately 2 grams of calcium carbonate into the styrene and stir. This will dry your styrene.Weigh three portions of benzoyl peroxide initiator on a glassine weight paper: 100 mg, 250 mg, and 400 mg. The benzoyl peroxide initiator is white spherical solid particles.
(Note: Benzoyl peroxide is explosive. Use only the glassine weight paper provided in the lab. Benzoyl peroxide initiator would burn when in contact with any other types of weight paper. Avoid any source of heat when working with this material.)
4. Transfer the weighed initiator into separate 50 ml glass jars and label them: polymer 1 (100 mg), polymer 2 (250 mg), polymer 3 (400 mg).
(Note: Use only wet paper towels to clean up any wasted benzoyl peroxide. Wet the used paper towel completely before disposing it into the waste basket to avoid fire.)
5. Measure three portions of 15 ml of styrene monomer using a 25 ml graduated cylinder. Styrene monomer is a transparent and slightly viscous liquid.