POLIMERIZACAO DO GLICEROL: UMA REACAO SIMPLES E VERSATIL PARA PRODUZIR DIFERENTES MATE RIAIS A PARTIR DO COPRODUTO DO BIODIESEL

摘要

In this work, it is proposed a simple experiment in polymer science for undergraduates, involving the glycerol polymerization catalyzed by H_2SO_4 to produce different materials, e.g. from oligomers to crosslinked polymer. The students can investigate the reaction conditions such as time, temperature and catalyst concentration, thus controlling the extent of polymerization and its kinetics. This experiment stimulates students to see polymer science in a broader context, involving diverse topics, such as biodiesel, and processing of a co-product of low value in polymeric materials with potential industrial application.