Bio-Polymer Chemistry Assessment Task

Production of Materials Chemistry Assessment Task Part A Biopolymers Definition The term Biopolymer refers to polymers that are produced by living organisms. Since these are polymers, biopolymers restrict monomeric units that are covalently bonded to form larger sructures. Biopolmers are divided up into 3 main classes. These are Polynucleotides (which include RNA and DNA), Polypeptides ( short polymers of amino acids) and Polysaccharides. Examples of somewhat Biopolymers include Cellulose, Starch and Proteins. Source http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/BiopolymerPolypeptides Biopolymer Polylactic acidFormation PLA is produced from a renewable source. For example corn. feed is harvested and then milled to extract the starch from the raw materials. From the starch, grape sugar is produced. The dextrose is then fermented, transforming into lactic acid. The lactic acid is altered into a polymer by the process of condensation, then forming long chain molecular compounds into polylactic acid . The organism is lactic Acid. Source http//www. hitachi-pt. com/products/ip/process/pla. html Properties and Uses Being able to pull down into lactic acid, PLA is used as medical implants in the form of screws, pins, rods and as a mesh.PLA lot also be used as a compostable packaging material. Cups and Bags have been made out of PLA. In the form of film, PLA shrinks upon heat allowing it to be used in shrink tunnels. PLA is also useful for producing loose-fill packaging, compost bags and disposable tableware. PLA can also be used in manipulation in the dust. Depending on the exact type used, it breaks down in the body within 6 months to 2 years. This degredation is desirable for a support bodily structure because it gradually transfers the load to the body as the organ heals.Source http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Polylactic_acidManufacturers Assessment The squeeze of PLA on the society is that due to the high demand or PLA products from resources such(prenominal) as corn, corn growers have been tampering with the genes of the corn to produce high yields in order to suffice the demand. stock-still though PLA is biodegradable it motionless takes at least three months in a controlled environment to decently break down into its components. However it is estimated to take 100 to gram years to decompose in landfill.PLA is also from a different gillyflower than regular plastics, therefore it needs to be kept separate when recycling. PLA is an selection to the common plastic bag or plastic cup since it can be recycled which can be useful to the society. Source http//www. scientificamerican. com/article. cfm? id=environmental-impact-of-corn-based-plastics Judgement Even though PLA is an alternative to common plastic due to it being reclaimable and biodegradable, PLA still needs to be refined to make it more competent to produce, be cost effective and to be able to degrade at a much faster rate.Part B Batteries Sources Vertex Learning amount of money Book, HSC chemistry, Vertex Learning Centre Book, Production of Materials Section 6 and 7 Button Cell Plastic shut Zinc case graphite rod Electrolyte Negative terminal irresponsible terminal Plastic seal Zinc case Graphite rod Electrolyte Negative terminal Positive terminal Leclanche Cell (Dry Cell) Sources http//www. comf-hk. com/zcart/index. php? main_page=page&id=3&chapter=1 Leclanche Cell diagram- 4. 6 cells and batteries word document By Bernard Broekhuizen