Introduction

This is an example of our experiment:

Polymerization: what happens in the reaction? 

The principal compound in this experiment is called p-nitroaniline, a yellow or brown color chemical compound, which formula is C6H6N2O2 . It is very toxic for ingestion and inhalation and it must be used with much care, using always goggles and mask. 

The objective of this project is to provoke a p-nitroaniline polymerization and study and investigate it. A polymerization consists on, through a chemical process or reaction, transforming monomer molecules grouped together into polymer chains or three dimensional structures. 

There are many different types of polymerization, but the one that takes place in our experiment is an explosive polymerization. What occurs is a decomposition reaction between p-nitroaniline and sulfuric acid, with temperatures over 200ºC. It has been studied by the NASA because of its ability to form pyrostat, a substance that extinguishes fire. It is a solid black foam, which density varies depending on how expanded the foam is and depending on the quantities of substance used in the experiment. I believe that in a near future, this substance, produced in great quantities, could be used by fire departments, or even in domestic fire extinguishers in case of emergency. However, I think that there are cheaper ways to create materials for fire extinguishers, but this black foam could be an option.

Objective

The objective of our experiment is to proof if there is any kind of relationship between the height of the resulting black-foam structure and the amount of p-nitro aniline (C6H6N2O2) that reacts with a constant amount of hydrosulfuric acid (H2SO4)

Hypothesis

Whenever the amount of solute changes we will appreciate a direct relationship between the volume  of the resulting foam structure and the amount of solute (p-nitroaniline) in the solution (p-nitroaniline and hydrosulfuric acid).

Variables

• Dependent variable: The resulting foam structure 
• Independent variable: The amount of p-nitroaniline for each trial
• Controlled variable: Amount of sulphuric acid (5ml), the container in which the reaction takes place and the concentration of the hydrosulfuric acid. 

Materials

• Sulfuric acid:
• 

To work out the molarity of the sulphuric acid knowing that the concentration is 96% and that the density in one litre is of 1840g, we work out the mass and divide it by the molecular mass.

96% of 1840= 1766,4g

Molarity= 1766,4/ 98,07= 18,011 g/mol

• P-nitroaniline
• Spoon
• Scale
• Bunsen burner
• Tripod for the bunsen burner
• Pipette 
• Goggles
• Masks
• Flask
• Small bowl (container)