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Reprocessable Networks from Vegetable Oils, Salts, and Food Acids: A Green Polymer Outreach Demonstration

Reprocessable Networks from Vegetable Oils, Salts, and Food Acids: A Green Polymer Outreach Demonstration
Learning Objets
Summary
This educational resource presents a hands-on outreach demonstration to explore the concepts of green polymer chemistry and sustainability. The lesson focuses on reprocessable polymer networks—a key innovation in sustainable material development—using common household ingredients such as vegetable oils, citric acid, and baking soda. Students learn about the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste, the difference between thermoplastics and thermosets, and how new materials can be designed for recyclability. The demonstration provides an engaging, inquiry-based learning experience that introduces students to Green Chemistry principles, material science, and polymer chemistry, while fostering awareness of sustainable solutions to plastic waste.

This outreach lesson has been successfully implemented in a middle school classroom setting, engaging students through interactive lectures, hands-on material synthesis, and a real-time demonstration of polymer reprocessability. The activity aligns with NGSS standards and promotes STEM engagement by allowing students to explore science concepts using familiar, safe, and accessible materials.

Authors/Contributors:
Sara Valdez, Carmen B. Dunn, Miya D. Hullum, Evains Harper, and Zhe Qiang.

Citation:
Valdez, S., Dunn, C. B., Hullum, M. D., Harper, E., & Qiang, Z. (2024). Reprocessable Networks from Vegetable Oils, Salts, and Food Acids: A Green Polymer Outreach Demonstration for Middle School Students. Journal of Chemical Education, 101, 2947–2953. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01258
Keyword Tags
Polymer Chemistry
Green Chemistry
Soy Chemistry
Materials Science
Biomaterials
Link to external
Reprocessable Networks from Vegetable Oils, Salts, and Food Acids: A Green Poly…
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Understand Polymer Chemistry
Define what a polymer is and differentiate between thermoplastics, thermosets, and reprocessable polymer networks.
Describe the molecular structure and bonding that make polymers either recyclable or non-recyclable.

2. Explore Chemical Reactions & Material Properties
Observe and describe the chemical reactions involved in creating thermoset and reprocessable polymer networks.
Explain the role of citric acid, epoxidized soybean oil, and sodium bicarbonate in polymer formation and reprocessability.

3. Analyze the Environmental Impact of Plastics
Explain the challenges associated with plastic waste and why recycling is important.
Compare petroleum-based plastics to bio-based alternatives and their impact on sustainability.

4. Engage in Scientific Inquiry & Problem-Solving
Formulate hypotheses on how different polymers will behave under heat and pressure.
Collect and analyze observational data to evaluate material properties and test hypotheses.

5. Connect to Real-World Applications
Identify ways polymer science contributes to sustainability and environmental solutions.
Recognize career opportunities in polymer chemistry, material science, and green technology.
Object Type
Laboratory experiment
Lecture or course slides/notes (e.g., PPT, Prezi, PDF)
Journal articles
Audience
Middle School
High School (Secondary School)
Introductory Undergraduate
Common pedagogies covered
Blended learning
Collaborative/cooperative learning
Context-based learning
Hands-on learning
Green Chemistry Principles
Waste Prevention
Less Hazardous Chemical Syntheses
Designing Safer Chemicals
Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries
Design for Energy Efficiency
Use of Renewable Feedstocks
Catalysis
Design for Degradation
Safer Chemistry for Accident Prevention
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Quality Education
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Life on Land
Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
Safety Precautions
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Students and instructors should wear safety goggles, gloves, and lab coats during the demonstration.
Closed-toe shoes should be worn to protect against accidental spills.
Safe Handling of Chemicals:

Epoxidized Soybean Oil (ESO): Can cause mild skin and eye irritation. Avoid direct contact and wash hands after handling.
Citric Acid: Can be an irritant to eyes and skin. Avoid inhalation of fine particles and use in a well-ventilated area.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda): Generally safe but should be handled with care to avoid accidental inhalation.
Ethanol (200 proof): Highly flammable; keep away from open flames or heat sources.
Heat Precautions:

The experiment requires heating the polymer samples on a hot plate at 125°C.
Use heat-resistant gloves when handling hot materials.
Ensure the hot plate is placed on a stable, non-flammable surface and keep flammable materials away.
Sharp Object Handling:

A razor blade is used to cut polymer samples. Only instructors or trained individuals should handle cutting tasks.
Dispose of used blades safely in a sharps container.
Ventilation and Spill Cleanup:

Work in a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to ethanol vapors.
Have paper towels and waste containers ready to clean up any spills immediately.

Hazards and Risk Assessment
Chemical Irritation (ESO, Citric Acid)
Skin/eye irritation from contact. Wear gloves, goggles; wash hands after use
Flammability (Ethanol). Fire risk near heat sources. Keep away from open flames; use minimal amounts
Heat Exposure (Hot Plate) Burns from hot surfaces or heated samples Use heat-resistant gloves; allow cooling time
Sharp Objects (Razor Blade) Cuts from improper handling Only instructors handle cutting; use a sharps container for disposal
Inhalation Risk (Ethanol) Irritation if inhaled in large amounts Work in a ventilated area; cap bottles when not in use
NGSS Standards, if applicable
The article aligns with NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) through its focus on matter and its interactions, chemical reactions, and engineering design. Specifically, it addresses:

MS-PS1-2: Analyzing and interpreting data on the properties of substances before and after interactions to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
MS-PS1-3: Gathering and making sense of information to describe synthetic materials and their impacts on society.
MS-ETS1-1: Defining the criteria and constraints of a design problem to ensure a successful solution.

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Submitted by

Kris Weigal
Published on
Moderation state
Published
Collection
Soy Chemistry Literature