It has been mentioned that the synthesis of polymer beads is probable. The following procedures were performed through trial and error.
0.0550 g of sodium montmorillonite and 0.5000 g of PVA was added to 6 mL of 10% HCl with heat at approximately 80°C.
Others dissolved their NaMT and PVA in 7 mL; I thought that minimizing the volume of HCl is best since the addition of heat is sufficient to dissolve the solids. I chose the volume of 6 mL by observing that this amount is not saturated with the solids portion of the mixture.
1 M HCl (10% HCl) was diluted from 12 M HCl into water by Dr. Hartings.
The mixture was allowed to stir until dissolved.
Once the mixture was dissolved, a pasteur pipette was used to make add droplets into solutions.
James and I performed the procedure while Jake observed and recorded the trials performed.
Acetone Trial
PVA-Clay was not strong enough to hold a sphere but rather made string/fibers. This can be weaved into a sort of bead but this cannot be measured
James suggested that an organic phase such as hexane should enable the formation of beads.
Hexane Trial #1
HCl is immiscible in Hexane, spherical constitution of beads was overall maintained. Upon adding to Glutaraldehyde, the beads did not stay together.
Used 250μL Gluteraldehyde in 10mL Hexane
Initial creation of beads in Hexane.
Hexane Trial #2
This time the Glutaraldehyde was rapidly stirred and the PVA-Clay solution was slowly dropped in. Bead formation was observed while stirring, however the beads were not given enough time to finish cross linking and stuck together.
Used 100μL Glutaraldehyde in 10mL Hexane
Hexane Trial #3
Bigger container and more time in between drops in order to allow more time to cross linking.
200μL Glutaraldehyde in 150mL Hexane
Hexane Trial #4
Using a blender this time in attempt to make an emulsion.
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