66 Inspirational chemistry
Investigating cross-linking –
making slime
Index 3.1.8
2 sheets
This experiment is great fun and always popular with students. It can be made as
difficult or as straightforward as you wish, depending on the level and ability of the
class. For the least able, making the slime and observing the changes in its properties
may be enough. For the more able, detailed measurements and observations are
possible.
Equipment required
Per student, pair or group:
3
■ PVA solution approx 100 cm per group – see notes below
■ Borax solution – 0.8 g borax in 20 cm3 water will allow students to make about
four batches of slime; scale up according to the number of groups (Minimal hazard)
■ Food colouring or a water soluble dye such as fluorescein (optional) – can be
added when mixing the solutions
■ Approx 4 x 100 cm3 beakers
3
■ 1 x 25 cm measuring cylinder
3
■ 1 x 10 cm measuring cylinder
■ Stirring rod.
Notes
PVA solution can be made from PVA glue (wood glue or white paper glue). The
composition of the glue may vary depending on its source so check that the mixture
works and adjust the glue/water mix accordingly. Two parts glue to one part water
generally works well.
Alternatively, it is possible to buy solid PVA. To make the PVA solution using this
starting material, add about 4 g PVA to 100 cm3 water at 90 °C. Stir with a magnetic
stirrer until the PVA dissolves. Cool and add enough water to make the volume up to
100 cm3 (to replace any water lost by evaporation).
Inspirational chemistry 67
SEP (Science Enhancement Programme) slime kits, which include PVA, borax and dye,
are available through Middlesex University Teaching Resources. See
http://www.mutr.co.uk (accessed November 2005) for more information.
Health and safety
Borax and PVA both represent a minimal hazard. As borax is a weak alkali, it can
cause skin irritation in those with eczema, sensitive skin or cuts. Disposable gloves
should be made available for these students. Most others will enjoy handling the slime
as it is very tactile.
Borax is toxic if large quantities are ingested so students should wash their hands at the
end of this activity and certainly before any food or drink is consumed.
The best slime
Typically the ‘best’ slime can be made by using a 5:1 PVA to borax mixing ratio, but
this can vary, especially if diluted wood or paper glue is used.
Possible alternative investigations
Students could investigate:
■ The amount of stretch achieved in a given time or the time taken to stretch a given
-1
amount of slime (both can be converted to a stretch rate of mm s )
■ Slime with the greatest bounce
■ Slime that can stretch the most without breaking.
Instead of plotting viscosity against the amount of borax used, students could
investigate one of the following factors:
■ Temperature – the slime can be left in a water bath until it has reached the desired
temperature
■ pH – the pH of the slime mixture affects the degree of cross-linking and can be
varied by adding borax/borate buffers.
Investigating cross-linking –
making slime
PVA glue contains the polymer polyvinyl alcohol (also called polyethenol) and has the structure:
H H2 H H2 H
C C C C C
OH OH OH
Borax forms the borate ion when in solution. This ion has the structure:
–
H O O H
B
H O O H
The borate ion can make weak bonds with the OH groups in the polymer chains so it can link the
chains together as shown below. This is called cross-linking.
H H2 H H2 H
C C C C C
O O O
H H
H
H O O H
B
H O O H
H H H
O O O
H2 H2
CH C CH C CH
This cross-linking changes the properties of the polymer from a viscous liquid to a far more viscous
slime. The slime contains as much as 96% water trapped between the molecules.
Investigation
Find out how the viscosity of the slime changes as the amount of borax used changes.
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Investigating crosslinking – page 1 of 2, Index 3.1.8 P
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What you need
● PVA solution
● Borax solution (Minimal hazard)
● 4 x 100 cm3 beakers
● 1 x 25 cm3 measuring cylinder
● 1 x 10 cm3 measuring cylinder
● Stirring rod.
Health and safety
! The chemicals used in this practical are of minimal hazard, although borax is a weak alkali and is a
poison if you eat a large amount of it. Wash your hands at the end of the experiment and
certainly before you eat or drink anything.
If you have eczema, sensitive skin or cuts on your hands, wear disposable gloves.
Basic slime mix
Put 20 cm3 PVA solution in a beaker. Add between 1 and 10 cm3 borax solution (make sure you
know how much you have added). Stir vigorously for several minutes to ensure the PVA and
borax are thoroughly mixed. Leave the mixture for a few minutes for all the cross-links to form
and then remove it from the beaker and roll it into a ball.
Testing for viscosity
There are several ways you could do this – a couple of suggestions are given here, but there are
many other ways too.
● Put the slime in a small beaker and leave it to settle. Place a coin on the surface and time how
long it takes to sink.
● Draw a circle on a piece of paper about the size of a small beaker. Draw another circle outside
the first one, about 1 cm away. Put an overhead projector slide on top or put the paper into a
plastic wallet. Roll your slime into a ball and put it in the middle of the circles. Start timing
when the slime reaches the first circle and stop when it reaches the second.
Recording your results
Record your results in a table. Plot a graph of the property you measured against the volume of
borax used.
Explaining your results
● Describe what your results show. Are you surprised? If so, why?
● Try to explain your results in terms of cross-linking.
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