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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Chemical Engineering Forum => Topic started by: hellaview on November 25, 2020, 04:57:40 AM

Title: reaction for precipitating polyvinyl alcohol
Post by: hellaview on November 25, 2020, 04:57:40 AM

Hello chemistry heads!

Im currently writing my bachelor thesis as an product developer and need some help with chemistry, hoping this community could shed some light and knowledge.

I want to precipitate Polyvinyl Alcohol ((C₂H₄O)n) from an aqueous solution so that I can filter it and remove it from the liquid . I found a patent describing a method using Borax (Na₂B₄O₇) and Sodium Sulfat (Na₂SO₄) to precipitate the PVA from the solution. Mixing the Borax (gelling agent) and Sodium Sulfat (salting agent) creates a coagulating agent, which is then added to the PVA solution resulting in a precipitation of the PVA.

Now my problem is that I dont understand how to write the chemical reaction formula for this. Nor do I understand what the leftover substances are.

I do understand the concept of precipitation but as a product developer, chemistry isnt my department. I was hoping someone could help me understand this reaction by explaining it and maybe even help me write the equations for it.



thanks

/d

Title: Re: reaction for precipitating polyvinyl alcohol
Post by: biofm on December 02, 2020, 12:01:29 PM

Is your target a slime or a rigid gel? Sodium sulfate affords a rigid gel and aluminum sulfate affords a slime. I have an article on this share. Will send you a private message.