Zooming in on Polymer Chemistry and Designing Synthesis of High Sulfur-Content Polymers for Virtual Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment

Polymer chemistry is essential within chemical education because of its applications in academic and industrial research, materials science, and across engineering disciplines. Teaching polymer chemistry principles early on in the undergraduate curriculum allows students to find connections between chemistry and real-world applications and can promote interest in science and scientific research. Performing laboratory experiments on polymers is of equal importance when integrating polymer concepts into undergraduate-level lectures. There are several widely utilized lab demonstrations on polymer synthesis, characterization, and applications, yet more, easy-to-handle experiments are needed that connect polymers to organic reactions, spectroscopy, and sustainability, especially in a virtual setting. This virtual experiment was designed to incorporate the synthesis of high sulfur-content polymers into the general chemistry laboratory during the pandemic. Teaching assistants (TAs) performed the experiments and collected the necessary data and observations for students. Video recordings of the polymerization reactions, reaction times, and collages of digital images depicting reaction progress (viscosity and color changes) are provided to students. During a single 2–3-h virtual lab meeting, students watch the lab videos, read the student handout and a research paper, and discuss the results and observations with their peers and lab TAs. The lab experiment demonstrates the interdependence of general chemistry learning objectives including chemical bonding, radicals, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, stoichiometric calculations, and spectroscopy. In addition, this virtual experiment introduces undergraduate students to polymer chemistry, encourages them to look beyond the textbooks and lecture resources by using literature articles, and connects general chemistry concepts with upper-level chemistry classes. Postlab survey results show that students find the video recordings and group discussions on the polymerization reactions very helpful in understanding a new concept within a virtual distant-learning environment.