CHEMISTRY PROJECT

AIM: Preparation of Slime

MATERIAL REQUIRED:
Samples of various polymers, Balance, Elmer's or other white
glue, Borax, Polyvinyl alcohol, Sodium polyacrylate, Salt,
Sugar, Baking soda, Sebacoyl chloride, Hexaminediamine,
Paper clip, Glass stirring rod, Beakers (150 mL and 400 mL,
1L), Water ( tap and distilled), Paper or plastic cups (smallest
size available), Wooden stir sticks, Graduated cylinders.

THEORY:
This is what happens when a solution of Polyvinyl Alcohol
(PVA) and a solution of Sodium Metaborate (Borax) are mixed
together. Polyvinyl Alcohol is a repeating chain or polymer of
the Vinyl Alcohol unit:

When the PVA is dissolved in water, the vinyl alcohol units link
up to form chains. This results in a thick, syrupy appearance to
the solution. When borax is added to the PVA solution, the
chains of PVA cross - link to form a viscoelastic gel. The cross
linking is weak, so the links continually form and break under
the weight of the gel, or with handling. Leave a ball of the slime

on a flat surface, and it slowly flattens out as the molecular

chains slide over each other, rearrange themselves and
reconnect. But if you pull suddenly on the material, it snaps.
PROCEDURE:
1. Place 50 mL of 4% polyvinyl alcohol solution into a
disposable cup. Add a couple drops of food colouring and stir
with a wooden stick.
2. Pour 5 mL of saturated sodium borate solution (4%) into the
cup while stirring. The mixture will gel almost immediately but
keep stirring until smooth.
3. To observe the properties of slime, knead it into a ball. Hold
a small part of the ball and watch it stretch without breaking. Try
stretching the slime quickly and see how it will break under
these conditions. Slime will also pick up ink from paper. The
design will be transferred to the slime.
4. The slime will last two days to a week. Store it in an air tight,
plastic sandwich bag. When the slime starts to mould, dispose
of it in a waste container.
RESULT: Slime is prepared
PRECAUTIONS:
1) No one should ingest the material and to use it only for the
purposes intended.
2) Do not allow slime to remain on clothing, upholstery, carpet,
or wood surfaces.
3) Wear chemical splash goggles
4) Slime will stain on many surfaces. Clean up the slime as
soon as possible