Abstract
By adding nanoparticles to classical polymer systems, new functional materials with tailored properties can be obtained. The great variety of possibilities opens up just as many interesting fields of application for industry and science. Following on from this, this article will present how the classical educational subject area of polymers can be extended by a current research context. In a series of experiments, students are using inexpensive chemicals and simple materials from the hardware store to produce nanocomposites that have a much greater hardness or antimicrobial activity than polymers alone. Their properties can then be investigated using a simple test method. Overall, it will be illustrated, that the combination of polymer chemistry and nanotechnology offers a variety of learning opportunities and questions with curricular relevance for schools and student laboratories.
Highlights
Modern functional materials are subject to much higher demands, which can only be achieved to some extent by varying these reaction parameters
Additives are often applied, i.e. substances, which are added during synthesis in order to enhance the existing properties of the polymers or to supplement new ones
In order to increase the reproducibility of the method, a simple plastic pipe from a hardware store can be used as a downpipe
Summary
The use of plastics is being viewed increasingly skeptical by the majority of our society. The choice of monomers or the adjustment of reaction parameters (such as temperature or reaction time) offer the possibility of tailoring the product properties within certain limits. Modern functional materials are subject to much higher demands, which can only be achieved to some extent by varying these reaction parameters. For this purpose, additives are often applied, i.e. substances, which are added during synthesis in order to enhance the existing properties of the polymers or to supplement new ones. Importantly, nanomaterials often provide the compound with highly interesting properties that cannot be achieved with bulk materials This will be illustrated in the following by the example of breakresistant and antimicrobial composite materials
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